The voice of one Baltimore County community?s opposition to the proposed liquefied natural gas plant at the Sparrows Point shipyard will co-chair a state-mandated task force organized to study the issue impartially, members said Tuesday.
Meeting for the first time, members of the state?s LNG task force appointed Dundalk activist and LNG Opposition Team coordinator Sharon Beazley as its co-chair. The group has the task of studying the environmental and safety risks of the proposed $400 million facility and 87-mile gas pipeline, but officials from energy firm AES Corp. said they worry the group is not balanced and has a bias against the project.
“Seven of the 14 members have publicly stated their opposition,” said AES project coordinator Kent Morton. “I can only state the facts.”
The task force was selected by state House and Senate members. Comments from the task force?s six community members dominated Tuesday?s meeting, the first of several before the group makes a formal recommendation by Dec. 31 to the General Assembly to approve or oppose the plant. Lawmakers at every level, including Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and his staff ? one of whom is also on the task force ? have all denounced the proposal.
A federal commission will ultimately approve or reject the plan, with input from local and state officials. The commission has denied only one LNG application, according to assistant Attorney General Brent Hare. With the nearest house fewer than two miles from the plant, critics including Beazley say they fear the facility could attract terrorists or create a massive fire. They also cite the environmental impacts of necessary dredging.
“It?s a Superfund site,” Beazley said, referring to federally designated areas containing hazardous waste. “They make laws to be followed not just by homeowners but also corporations.”
But Morton argues LNG facilities are safe and provide needed alternative energy sources. He said that the project will generate tax revenue for Baltimore County and that the company is exploring ways it can recycle toxic dredged materials.
AES officials estimate they will need to dredge 3 million to 4 million cubic yards to accommodate the massive LNG tankers. Dredging has become a hot-button issue for Dundalk residents, who asked state officials to stop Sparrows Point operators from dumping dredge material at a state-owned facility on Hart Miller Island. Earlier this week, state Secretary of Transportation Robert Flanagan said he will not renew a contract with the shipyard?s proprietor, Vincent Barletta, but said the state and community need to collaborate on a plan for the shipyard that fosters economic development.
THE TASK FORCE
» *Sharon Beazley, citizen
» Dunbar Brooks, citizen
» Craig Chesek, Maryland Public Service Commission
» Frank Dawson, Department of Natural Resources
» Russell Donnelly, citizen
» Richard Eskin, Maryland Department of Environment
» Guido Guarnaccia, citizen
» Linwood Jackson, citizen
» Chris Rice, Maryland Energy Administration
» Fred Thiess, citizen
» *Joel Baker, University of Maryland Chesapeake Biology Lab
» Brad Heavner, Maryland Public Interest Research Group
» John Hohman, Baltimore County fire chief
» Frederick Hoover, Maryland Energy Administration
*co-chairs
