Ruppersberger Disappointed In Decision To Uphold LNG Plant, Vows To Continue Fight
Press Release
Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is disappointed in a federal commission's decision today to deny several requests to rehear the argument against a proposed liquefied natural gas plant at Sparrows Point in Baltimore County, but vowed to take the fight to the next level.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted 3-1 to uphold its January 15, 2009, preliminary approval of the Sparrows Point plant, which included nearly 170 safety, security and environmental conditions that must be met before construction can begin. The entire Maryland Congressional delegation along with the Coast Guard, State of Maryland, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County have opposed the plan, which would require the construction of an 88-mile gas pipeline into Pennsylvania.
"This decision reflects the commission's continued refusal to acknowledge the potentially catastrophic consequences of this plan," Congressman Ruppersberger said. "Hopefully, our grave concerns that have so far fallen on deaf ears will be heard in court. We will take this to the highest level possible."
LNG is a hazardous fuel that can explode when ignited. The proposed site is less than two miles from the densely-populated neighborhoods of Dundalk, Turner's Station and Edgemere. Under the proposal from Virginia-based AES Corp., tankers carrying LNG to the facility would have to travel beneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to reach the facility in the Baltimore Harbor.
Numerous federal agencies have raised alarming concerns. The Department of the Interior has said the dredging of potentially toxic sediment to accommodate the massive tankers could threaten an environmentally sensitive area of the Chesapeake Bay.
Last year, the Coast Guard said the Chesapeake Bay is not suitable for an LNG facility because there are insufficient resources to implement the necessary safety and security measures to protect nearby residences. AES has not completed a Transit Management Plan as requested to determine how to adequately mitigate the risks of accidental or possible terrorist attacks at the facility or aboard the tankers.
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