PHOTO FROM WE ARE COVE POINT

Lusby, MD – A proposal that drew mostly negative reaction from the public when it was presented at two well-attended public hearings has been granted by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). The request submitted last summer by Dominion Energy Cove Point sought to have the commission’s previously granted Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) modified so that officials at the newly construction Cove Point Liquefaction Unit in Lusby could control fugitive emissions from the facility solely through the Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program. The LDAR method was a replacement for the previously proposed numeric volatile organic compounds limit. Opponents of the liquefaction construction project—which now gives the Dominion Energy Cove Point (DECP) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant the capability to export natural gas to foreign countries—claimed the proposal would lead to higher levels of pollution and was evidence that Dominion officials lied on their CPCN request.

The PSC did not see it that way. In an over-30 page statement issued Feb. 6, four PSC commissioners indicated they concurred that the proposed modifications “will not result in any change in their operation or any increase in their already allowable emissions.” The commissioners concluded the modifications were “in the public interest and would not adversely impact public health or cause any violation of federal or state environmental laws and standards.” One of the panel’s members—Lusby resident Anthony J. “Tony” O’Donnell voluntarily removed himself from participating in the PSC’s decision regarding DECP.

Dominion Energy Cove Point spokesman Karl Neddenien told TheBayNet.com that plant officials have received the PSC order and conditions “and we are reviewing it in detail.” The Cove Point liquefaction unit is currently going through the commissioning process.

Members of We Are Cove Point (WACP) stated Feb. 13, “we are outraged but not surprised by the Maryland Public Service Commission’s recent approval of Dominion Energy’s request to change their permit.” The organization opined that the permit modifications allow Dominion Energy to “pollute without limit in Cove Point.”

According to a WACP press release, the group is planning a rally in Annapolis Thursday, Feb. 22. The group said the rally will feature a “parade of poisons.” This will be the 34th consecutive week WACP has staged a rally in Annapolis protesting the liquefaction unit. “Our main focus is Governor Hogan because he has the power to order a safety study for Dominion’s fracked gas refinery and export terminal in Cove Point with one call.” The “parade of poisons” will be comprised of black balloons with the names of the chemicals that the plants will emit and signs about the health impacts.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com