Proponents and opponents of the plan to build a multi-billion dollar liquefaction facility at a Lusby gas plant are claiming triumph after a well-attended public hearing Saturday, March 1 at Patuxent High School (PHS).
The Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant would have the capability to export natural gas via tanker ships if the proposal is approved. Over 50 permits and approvals must be obtained first. One OK must come from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The March 1 hearing was conducted by the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC), which is charged with determining if Dominion’s planned 130-megawatt gas-fired unit for liquefaction would be in the public’s interest.
Some environmental organizations and many residents living in proximity to the 40-year-old gas plant object to the liquefaction and export plan for a variety of reasons. These include safety concerns, possible pollution, noise and an increase in the controversial hydraulic drilling practice known as fracking.
The 800-seat PHS auditorium was nearly filled to capacity during the afternoon hearing. In addition to local residents and environmentalists, members of labor unions hoping the three-year construction project is approved were present. The project would cost an estimated $3.8 billion and take approximately three years to complete.
Once exporting operations begin, the company’s profits and Calvert County’s tax revenue are predicted to skyrocket.
“This is a great turnout of our neighbors, business leaders and union workers for this project,” stated Dominion Cove Point Vice President for LNG Operations Mike Frederick. “The Public Service Commission certainly heard the strong support the project has.”
The PSC also heard from project opponents.
“We have not been told what pollutants will be coming from the plant,” said Lusby resident Tracey Eno of Calvert Citizens for a Healthy Community. “Dominion is buying pollution credits and that harms local residents whose air will still have higher pollution levels. This proposal adds up, but not the way Dominion suggests. Health issues plus safety risks plus decreasing property values equal huge losses for local residents.”
“Natural gas companies always fail to deliver on the rosy economic forecasts they make,” stated Jorge Aguilar of Food and Water Watch. “In fact a recent Department of Energy study on LNG exports said that the next economic benefits will actually lead to lower wage growth due to increases in the price of natural gas domestically. The Cove Point project is an environmental and economic disaster waiting to happen.”
According to a missive from Dominion’s Co
