Representatives of the company trying to build a liquefied natural gas terminal at the Sparrows Point shipyard Tuesday tried to convince members of the Baltimore County Council not to vote for a bill that would instantly block their efforts.
Council Chairman John Olszewski, D-District 7, said he proposed a bill that would ban oil refineries and LNG facilities within five miles of residential zones in response to his district?s opposition to Virginia energy firm AES Corp.?s plan. Olszewski grilled AES project manager Kent Morton and others who spoke against the bill at a council work session Tuesday.
Residents, joined by politicians at every level, including Gov. Robert Ehrlich, have said they fear the terminal could explode, attract terrorists or disturb toxic pollutants that would be dredged to the surface.
“If I can put another obstacle in front of these people, I?ll do it to represent the community I was elected to represent,” Olszewski said.
Speaking against the proposed legislation, which resembles a bill that was facing the state?s General Assembly earlier this year, Morton said the terminal would generate at least $133 million for the local economy during its construction phase and $22 million each subsequent year it?s in operation.
The nearest homes are 1.3 miles from the site, too far to be damaged by an explosion that is unlikely to occur in the first place, said environmental consultant Chris DeBernard.
He added that gas will be stored on tankers 22 feet from the hulls.
And Rupert Denney of the Maryland Maritime Association told the council plenty of other harmful substances, including petroleum, are shipped through the Baltimore Harbor every day.
“There?s a constituency that makes a decent living from the ports,” he said. “The Maryland Maritime Association believes you have the responsibility to consider their interest as well.”
Several members of the Dundalk-based LNG Opposition Team testified on behalf of the bill, which will go to vote Monday.
“These monstrous ships will be sitting in people?s yards,” said Sparrows Point resident Fred Thiess. “They will be living in fear for the rest of their lives.”
Officials from the Federal Energy Regulation Commission, who will ultimately approve or deny the plant, said they expect AES to file a formal application in November.
