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Executive Update

July 2008

County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
400 Washington Avenue
Old Courthouse Mezzanine
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-2450
E-mail Address: jimsmith@baltimorecountymd.gov

Dear Friends of Baltimore County,

On June 25, the federal Department of Commerce reversed the Maryland Department of the Environment’s decision to ban the construction of an LNG plant in Sparrow’s Point.

Baltimore County has long opposed the placement of an LNG plant in our southeastern communities. We are committed to keeping the people in our communities, our natural environment, and our national treasure, the Chesapeake Bay, safe and secure.

LNG Safety and Security Concerns

LNG may be a viable source of fuel, but it brings with it safety, security, and environmental hazards. The public safety of our communities and waterways is a critical responsibility of government, and the protection of the environment is our legacy. 

Numerous reports describe LNG as highly flammable. We know that a liquefied natural gas explosion in Algeria in 2004 was responsible for the death of 27 people and is reported to have shattered windows as far as five miles away. And in this post 9/11 world it is impossible to talk about an LNG facility without considering a potential terrorist attack.  Former United States Counter Terrorism official Richard Clarke has indicated that LNG terminals and tankers present “especially attractive targets” to terrorists. We cannot dismiss that kind of informed analysis. 

Potential Loss of Important Business Opportunities

As the renaissance of Dundalk, Turner’s Station, and North Point continues, there are many other reasons why we are convinced that the LNG proposal targets the wrong location for a facility.  Baltimore County is working with this community to attract companies that will provide good jobs and at the same time support a place where families can live, and shop, as well as work.  Sparrows Point has the potential to grow as a job-creation center while setting a new standard for environmentally sensitive redevelopment.  Our opposition to an LNG plant at Sparrows Point will not slow us down as we pursue other economic development opportunities on that site. 

To bring almost daily shipments of liquefied natural gas up the Chesapeake Bay, under the Bay Bridge, into one of the busiest ports in the United States and into a major population center is just not reasonable and should not happen. Simply put, this LNG facility is simply not the right project for this location in this community. 

The fact that the Commerce Secretary conducted a supposedly ‘comprehensive’ review of this complex issue in just a few days demonstrates that the federal government is not taking its responsibility to protect the Chesapeake Bay and our entire region seriously.

Sustain our Momentum

Despite this unfortunate obstacle, I can assure the people of Eastern Baltimore County that I do take this issue very seriously and I will continue to fight to prevent the construction of this plant. The fact that the federal government would choose to make our country more dependent on foreign energy sources is simply bad national policy, and it poses a serious security risk for the nation.

James T. Smith
County Executive

Revised July 1, 2008