Rhode Island Officers to Assist Coast Guard
Rhode Island has signed an agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard authorizing state and local law enforcement officers to enforce federal law on vessels in security zones established by the Coast Guard. The Providence Journal reports that anti-LNG activists are concerned the agreement will undermine Rhode Island and Massachusetts state agency claims that they cannot provide sufficient security for the Weaver’s Cove terminal in Fall River, Mass. However, Rhode Island Gov. Carcieri says that giving local officials more authority “doesn’t weaken us one bit” in the fight against siting LNG terminals in densely populated areas. The Governor’s spokesman also pointed out that the agreement does not change the state’s security resources or indicate better preparation for LNG vessels.