Environmentalists seek to halt construction at Cove Point LNG export plant

Lindsay Lazarski / WHYY/Newsworks

Dominion's offshore loading platform at Cove Point. Lusby, Maryland. Dominion wants to start exporting LNG from this platform.

Environmental groups have filed a motion with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to stop the current construction of Dominion’s liquefied natural gas export facility in Cove Point, MD. The groups also want FERC to reverse their recent decision approving the plant. 

Last month FERC approved Dominion Energy’s plan to transform the Cove Point plant from an import terminal to an export facility, which will ship out more than 5 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas each year. Cove Point is the fourth export terminal approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC. It will be the first connected to the Marcellus Shale by pipeline.

Opponents of the plan say the plant will stimulate natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale, thereby increasing pollution in shale gas communities. Jocelyn D’Ambrosio is an attorney with Earthjustice.

“In neglecting to prepare a thorough review of the environmental impacts of Dominion’s controversial project, FERC is prioritizing the desires of a powerful company over the health and safety of the people of Calvert County, Marylanders, and communities throughout the Marcellus shale region,” wrote D’Ambrosio in a release. 

D’Ambrosio says the group will file a challenge in federal court if their motions are denied.

But Dominion says there’s nothing new in the Earthjustice motions. Karl Neddenien is a spokesperson for Dominion Cove Point LNG terminal.

“The FERC looked at every single one of these issues in its thorough environmental assessment and final order,” said Neddenien.  ”Everything out there shows the plant will be operated safely and imposes a minimum risk to the environment and the public. It’s time to build.”

Dominion began construction on the plant this week.