Ruppersberger, Cummings, & Sarbanes Introduce House Bill to Give Local and State Governments the Right to Prevent LNG Plants

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland 2nd), Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland 7th), and Congressman John P. Sarbanes (D-Maryland 3rd) introduced legislation in the United States House of Representatives that will give local and state governments the right to veto the location of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility.  The bill would strike a provision in the Energy Act of 2005 that gave the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to preempt local and state concerns about the location, construction, and operation of an LNG facility. 

AES Corporation has filed an application to construct an LNG facility on the site of the former Sparrows Point Shipyard in Eastern Baltimore County.  Congressman Ruppersberger believes an LNG facility is absolutely inappropriate for the area.  If constructed, the facility would be less than two miles from the residential neighborhoods of Dundalk, Turner’s Station, and Edgemere.  LNG is a hazardous fuel that can explode when ignited. 

“I am extremely concerned about the safety and security of Maryland residents who live and work near the proposed LNG facility in Eastern Baltimore County.  They could be harmed if there is an accident or a terrorist attack at the facility or on the tankers that travel up the Chesapeake Bay.  Precious Coast Guard resources could be stretched thin.  The Coast Guard is already patrolling the Cove Point LNG facility and the Calvert Cliff’s Nuclear Power Plant in Calvert County.  Recreational boating could be severely restricted and an LNG facility could harm a multi-million dollar revitalization effort in the area,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland 2nd). 

“As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I recently conducted a field hearing in Baltimore on Monday, April 23 to examine the safety and security of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals and their impact on port operations.  I remain deeply concerned about the changes made in 2005 to remove state and local authorities from critical decisions about the siting of LNG terminals.  I believe that local and state governments must have a decisive voice in the siting process because they represent the communities that will be directly affected by the placement of new terminals,” Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Maryland 7th) said. “I am very pleased to support this legislation because I believe that Baltimore is not a suitable location for an LNG terminal, nor should any community be chosen for a terminal without having the opportunity to affect that decision-making process.  In addition, the decisions to site new LNG terminals must be made only after we can ensure that adequate Coast Guard resources are put in place to guarantee the safety and security of all terminals and tankers.”

“The communities surrounding the proposed LNG site are rightfully concerned and should have their voices heard,” said Congressman John P. Sarbanes (D-Maryland 3rd).  “FERC needs to adequately address and account for these concerns, as well as those that have been expressed by state and local elected officials.”

Many Members of Congress have received 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.  This legislation also includes a provision that requires 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 by a company to lobby residents.

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