Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland let it be known last week that he supports the Dominion Energy fracked gas refinery and export terminal in southern Maryland and will not order a safety study to determine the risks to the community.
The people of Lusby, Maryland and other communities near Cove Point along with their allies have entered a new phase of their campaign now that Hogan has essentially said — your lives are less important than Dominion’s profits.
On Monday, June 26, a few dozen people gathered outside the State House in Annapolis, Maryland, to protest Hogan’s failure to order a safety study.
We need your help. Take action!
1. Urge Governor Hogan to order a risk assessment. Call his office at 410-974-3901.
2. Join us at the rally in Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis, this Monday, July 3, 2017 at noon. Click here for the Facebook Page.
UPDATE: The next rally is Monday, July 10 at noon. Here’s the Facebook Page.
The failure to examine the risks of the Dominion fracked gas export terminal in a Qualitative Risk Assessment is the height of irresponsibility and shows that people of Maryland, especially those in rural areas, they cannot count on Governor Hogan to treat them fairly or protect their safety.
A risk assessment would examine the qualitative risk of these dangers. It would answer questions like how many people’s lives will be at risk from an explosion? How many people’s lives will be shortened by the toxic chemicals the terminal admits they will release? How many cancers and other illnesses are likely? Maryland needs to know the risks that this Virginia-based corporation is creating for Marylanders and residents of surrounding states where the gas will be fracked in order to justify their profits. Exporting gas to Japan and India does not do anything to help the people of Maryland or the United States, it only helps Dominion and their investors to profit.
This facility doesn’t belong in anyone’s neighborhood!!
The risks that are already known from the terminal include:
– Stockpiles of toxic, potentially explosive chemicals including propane, ethane, acid-gases, and cancer-causing benzene could trigger a “fireball” in the community and within 3 miles of Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.
– The terminal is adjacent to a public park and within 4,500 feet of approximately 360 homes (who are at risk of flash fire).
– The export facility would be located within two miles of approximately 2,365 homes, 2 schools, 19 daycare centers,3 churches, 2 shopping centers, and adjoining Calvert Cliffs State Park and Cove Point Park with 7 multi-purpose sports fields, swimming pool, tennis/basketball courts, picnicing, and playgrounds.
– Due to the volatility, LNG liquefaction facilities are potential targets for terrorists; add Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant, NAS Patuxent River, and a population over 30,000 people within 5 miles of the terminal and the potential increases. Recent explosions at other LNG facilities caused a 2-mile radius evacuation of 1000 residents and workers in Plymouth, WA (3/31/14); 95 residents of Opal, WY were evacuated 5 miles away from a LNG explosion (4/23/14). The teriminal will cram equipment and storage tanks into an unusually tight space, increasing the risk for catastrophic accidents.
– Equipment and storage tanks used in the export process will generate 20.4 tons of air pollutants each year. Emitted carcinogens are linked to increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, especially in children, the elderly, and other vulnerable populations.
– Calvert County currently has the worst American Lung Association air rating of “F.” Maryland already boasts the highest rate of premature deaths due to air pollution, more than any other state.
– Terminal emissions will degrade air quality and accelerate negative effects on the Bay, farmlands, and residences. Chemicals emitted have the potential to deteriorate roofs and siding of homes.
– The 130 Mega Watt power plant at the Cove Point site will use natural gas for a significant portion of its fuel. The systems will consume 67,941 pounds of fuel per hour (almost 34 tons of fuel per hour). The plant will run 24/7×365 days a year; the total fuel consumption will be in excess of 297,581 tons of fuel per year.
– Toxic Air Pollutants will be emitted: ammonia, butane, sulfuric acid mist, benzene, nitrous oxide, hydrogen sulfide, respirable PM1, toluene, zinc, xylenes. Hazardous Air Pollutants will be emitted: formaldehyde, hexane, toluene, xylenes, acetaldehyde, ethylbenzene, benzene, propylene oxide, acrolein, fluoranthene.
– Dominion has “purchased” 625 tons of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and 166 tons of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emission reduction credits (ERCs) in accordance with federal regulations. This means they are paying to pollute more at Cove Point than is otherwise allowed by law. NOx and VOCs are major contributors to ozone.
Source: We Are Cove Point, footnotes are at the original source.