Ruppersberger Fights to Stop LNG Facility from Coming to Dundalk

Ruppersberger Fights to Stop LNG Facility From Coming to Dundalk

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-D) is fighting to stop the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility from coming to Dundalk in Baltimore County, Maryland. Congressman Ruppersberger wrote a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Coast Guard, and the Army Corp of Engineers asking that the request to build the facility be denied. In January, the Virginia based AES Corporation announced that it wants to build an LNG terminal on the site of the former Sparrows Point shipyard - located less than two miles from Turner Station. Liquefied natural gas is a hazardous fuel that can explode when ignited.

Congressman Ruppersberger believes the proposed facility is wrong for the area. If constructed, the facility would be less than two miles from a historic, residential neighborhood. Congressman Ruppersberger believes area residents could be harmed if there is an accident at the facility or a terrorist attack. The Coast Guard is already patrolling the LNG facility at Cove Point in Calvert County. The Coast Guard's surveillance capabilities could be stretched thin if another plant is opened nearby. The area around the proposed site is well known for its beautiful waterways. If an LNG facility is constructed, there could be strict restrictions on recreational boating in the area. In addition, Congressman Ruppersberger believes an LNG facility would harm revitalization efforts on the eastside of Baltimore County. As the Baltimore County Executive, the Ruppersberger Administration invested over $130 million dollars to help revitalize this area.

"Dundalk should not be the dumping ground for this type of facility. I believe an LNG facility is absolutely inappropriate for the area and is far too close to a residential neighborhood. I am doing everything I can to prevent this facility from being constructed," said Congressman Ruppersberger.

Congressman Ruppersberger's office has received several complaints that people are being paid by AES to push the LNG facility on local residents. These residents believe these people are writing to local papers and distributing information on the premise that they are interested in the project without letting anyone know they are being paid by the company to express their support. Congressman Ruppersberger is introducing legislation in Congress that will require these people to disclose that they are being paid for their efforts. The bill requires that FERC create a database on its website that lists people who are being paid to lobby by a company. Congressman Ruppersberger discussed this legislation at a press conference at the Fleming Senior Center in Dundalk on September 19, 2006.

"If you are lobbying Congress or lawmakers at the State House in Annapolis, you must register and disclose who you are working for when you are being paid for your efforts. I believe the same ought to happen when people are being paid to lobby for an LNG facility that requires approval from a federal agency. It is only fair that people know who is being paid when it is something that affects their neighborhoods and communities," said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.

http://www.house.gov/list/press/md02_ruppersberger/Ruppersberger_Opposes_LNG.html