Gov. Robert Ehrlich pledged his support to Dundalk-based opponents of the proposed liquefied natural gas plant in Sparrows Point on Thursday, but stopped short of committing his testimony at a federal stakeholders meeting next week.
At a meeting he requested with the self-titled LNG Opposition Team, Ehrlich said the site is inappropriate for global energy company AES Corp.?s plan, which calls for ultra-chilled gas to arrive at the plant on massive tankers, then be sent out through an 87-mile pipeline that will wind through Harford County and into Pennsylvania. He said its close proximity to homes, about 1.2 miles, raises safety concerns.
“I am on your team. I am a leader of your team,” Ehrlich said. “You have the facts on your side.”
The Federal Energy Regulation Commission, which will ultimately approve or deny the company?s proposal, will begin a series of community input meetings in Dundalk on Monday. Ehrlich said he will likely be late if he attends, but will send other state representatives to testify or submit written statements against the proposal. He also sent FERC Secretary Magalie Salas a letter Wednesday urging her to reject AES? proposal.
Democrats, however, questioned Ehrlich?s true position, citing recent allegations that his personal attorney, David Hamilton, helped Sparrows Point owner Vincent Barletta secure dredging permits without registering as a lobbyist. Officials from four state agencies ? the Departments of Environment, Natural Resources, Transportation and state Port Authority ? declined to cooperate with the federal government?s preparation for a study on the proposal?s environmental impacts.
“Ehrlich says he?s opposed to this, but puts a leash on the state agencies,” said Dave Paulson, spokesman for the Maryland Democratic Party. “It sounds like he?s doing something, but he?s doing absolutely nothing.”
An Ehrlich spokesman said the state agencies did not want to be “complicit” in FERC?s informational process.
On Thursday, Ehrlich chastised members of the LNG Opposition Team for asking the state?s ethics commission to investigate Hamilton?s actions, calling Hamilton “integrity-laden.”
Grants secured by Sparrows Point owner SPS Limited Partnership were not used for dredging and did not involve Hamilton, Barletta said in a statement.
Ehrlich?s visit came on the heels of a similar meeting Tuesday, when Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith stopped by the team?s Dundalk headquarters, vowing to testify at Monday?s meeting. Smith is among many local elected officials who have voiced concern for the project, including Baltimore County Council Chairman John Olszewski, who is sponsoring abill that would block LNG terminals within five miles of homes. A similar bill failed in the General Assembly this session.
