PHOTO COURTESY OF WE ARE COVE POINT
Lusby, MD – As a multi-billion dollar construction project winds down, Dominion Energy Cove Point has sent out two notices regarding the new liquefaction facility. The company reported that the liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Lusby “is scheduled to operate the two natural gas-fired combustion turbines for the first time in the upcoming weeks as part of the ongoing equipment commissioning process for the natural gas liquefaction project construction.”
Dominion Energy officials stated the initial operation will include steam-cleaning of the piping and that process “may be seen or heard in the immediate vicinity of the facility.”
On another matter, the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct a public hearing Monday, Oct. 2 at Patuxent High School regarding Dominion Energy’s motion requesting an amendment of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) “for the liquefaction project to remove an unnecessary emission limit and to allow for operational flexibility to maintain reliability of the liquefaction project,” according to a notice. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and speakers must limit their comments to the CPCN conditions which are the subject of the amendment request.
Meanwhile, We Are Cove Point (WACP), a citizens group opposing the export project, will hold its eleventh straight rally in Annapolis Tuesday, Sept. 5 starting at noon. The plant foes are hoping to convince Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to order a safety study known as a quantitative risk assessment before the liquefaction facility begins operation and exporting natural gas to foreign countries. Hogan told WACP leaders several months ago that he supports the liquefaction project and will not be ordering a state agency to conduct the quantitative risk assessment.
“We are not going to stop fighting to save Cove Point,” stated WACP leaders in their latest press release, which includes a photo of Hogan at the facility’s 2015 groundbreaking ceremony. “We are going to increase the pressure on the governor.”
Dominion Energy officials affirm that an extensive safety study was done as part of the company’s application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2013. That study included an environmental assessment.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
