Ruppersberger Continues to Call on FERC to Deny LNG Application

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) continues to call on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to deny the application to build a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Sparrow’s Point.  Congressman Ruppersberger believes safety, security, and quality of life for residents must be considered in addition to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  AES Corporation filed its official application to construct the LNG terminal in January 2007. 

The EIS finds that AES has the potential to meet the minimum acceptable environmental standard if it meets ten major conditions set out by FERC.  In February, the Coast Guard issued a report critical of AES for not having a comprehensive safety or security plan.  The Coast Guard Waterway Suitability Report found that AES does not have a security plan, does not appear to be taking security seriously, and assumes the Coast Guard will handle all security at taxpayer expense.  

“From the very start, I have said the proposed liquefied natural gas plant is absolutely inappropriate for this residential area in Eastern Baltimore County.  My biggest concerns focus around the lack of a comprehensive safety and security plant, the potential harm to the quality of life for nearby residents, and the possible negative effects on the environment and the Chesapeake Bay.  This Environmental Impact Statement doesn’t alleviate any of my concerns,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).     

If constructed, the LNG facility would be less than two miles from the residential neighborhoods of Dundalk, Turner’s Station, and Edgemere and would be located in an environmentally sensitive area of the Chesapeake Bay.  LNG is a hazardous fuel that can explode when ignited.  Congressman Ruppersberger, a Member of the Intelligence Committee and the Port Security Caucus, believes area residents could be harmed if there is an accident or a terrorist attack at the facility or on the tankers that travel up the Bay.  The Coast Guard is already patrolling the LNG facility at Cove Point and the Calvert Cliff’s Nuclear Power Plant in Calvert County.  In addition, Congressman Ruppersberger believes an LNG facility would harm a multi-million dollar revitalization effort on the Eastside of Baltimore County and the restrictions on recreational boat traffic could negatively impact the quality of life of area residents. 

The proposed site of the LNG facility is located in Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District.  Congressman Ruppersberger has contacted every agency involved in the approval process and urged them to deny the application, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Army Corp of Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Coast Guard.  In light of this report, Congressman Ruppersberger will renew his request to FERC to deny the application.

(####)