Expressing concern for endangered Chesapeake Bay wildlife species, federal officials have requested a postponement of the final decision on a proposed liquid natural gas plant at Sparrows Point, giving project opponents last-minute hope.
Members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are expected to give the $400 million facility off the Key Bridge in Baltimore County the green light at a meeting in Washington Thursday. But officials at the U.S. Department of the Interior officials are calling on the commission to delay the decision until a further wildlife study is completed.
“There are unanswered questions related to federally listed, endangered and threatened species that may be affected by this project,” wrote Willie Taylor, director of the department’s Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance, last week.
The development comes just weeks after the commission released its final environmental report on the proposal from Virginia-based AES Corp. The report concluded the project has “mostly limited adverse environmental impacts.”
FERC staff and U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez already have recommended approval of AES’ plans, which call for two ship berths, three storage tanks and a vaporization system, as well as administration and security offices.
FERC on Thursday is also expected to approve construction of an 88-mile pipeline from the plant, through Harford County and into southern Pennsylvania.
Opponents have said they fear dredging to accommodate massive LNG tankers could disrupt toxic sediments and harm Bay life. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, who supports the DOI’s request to delay a final decision, warned the facility could attract terrorists or ignite explosions.
“The plant will threaten endangered species but we must also consider the threat to human life,” Ruppersberger said in a statement. “The residents of the neighboring communities will live in the shadow of the facility and be forced to live in fear.”
FERC could address the DOI’s request at its meeting Thursday, a commission spokeswoman said. A small contingent from the grassroots, Dundalk-based LNG Opposition Team said they plan to travel to Washington for the meeting.
“We want to be there to let them know we are watching them,” said group Chairman Russell Donnelly. “We are certainly hoping this helps, but we leave nothing for chance.”
