Last week I posted information on the Maryland Crossroads Tour 2013, which aims to inform the public about the adverse environmental and public health effects of the proposed Virginia-based Dominion Resources' liquefied natural gas (LNG) export site at Cove Point in Lusby, MD. The Sierra Club has joined our friends at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network to help protest and, hopefully, shut down this proposed project. This project aims to dramatically increase LNG exports in the region and hydraulic fracturing in Maryland.
On Monday November 4, 2013, The Washington Post ran a story covering the debate between local Calvert County officials and environmentalists, who have become increasingly at odds over the project. The Calvert County Board of Commissioners approved, 4-1, a zoning exemption for the project at Cove Point and will consider another concerning tax credits for Dominion, which some estimate to be in the tens of millions of dollars.
Dominion has responded to the environmentalist opposition by stating that the project will cost approximately $3.8 billion over three years and will require thousands of workers to assist in the construction process. In addition, local business leaders are backing the project, claiming that it will boost Calvert's economy and expand its tax revenue. However, Governor O'Malley (D) authorized the county to discount Dominion's taxes. This issue, the subject of the second hearing for the Board of Commissioners, will result in Dominion paying a fixed series of payments over several years instead of property taxes. In addition to the first five years of payments, Dominion would be granted a 42 percent break on their property taxes in the following nine years. This is what has drawn much criticism from environmentalists and other groups -- county and state officials have not released just how much Dominion would be saving from their tax break.
Josh Tulkin, the Director of the Sierra Club Maryland Chapter, argues, "You would think that when you're making a budget calculation like that, it would be very relevant to the conversation what the financial implication would be." Dominion responded by saying they are paying their fair share, and will be paying a lot in taxes.
Commissioner Steve Weems, the only commissioner to cast a "no" vote on the original vote, did so in order to allow for more public comment on the matter.
The first town hall meeting of the Maryland Crossroads Tour 2013 was last night, November 5, 2013. Over the coming weeks, these meetings will take place across the state. Please attend, learn about the issue, and call the Calvert County and state officials to let them know that you do not want this project to proceed. Doing so would not only put the delicate ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay in harm's way, but as we have observed over the years, the continued use of fossil fuels adds harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere exacerbating climate change. Lastly, perhaps the most detrimental aspect of the project, an increase in hydraulic fracturing in Maryland would put human health at significant risk. This project has clear and relevant negative aspects for which it should be shut down -- now.
Click here to learn more about the issue and find a Maryland Crossroads Tour 2013 stop near you!
We hope to see you at one of the events.