Providence Reps Voice Opposition to National Grid LNG Proposal
Thursday, August 04, 2016
A group of Providence elected officials have announced their opposition to a proposal by National Grid to develop a new fracked gas liquefaction facility at Fields Point in South Providence.
National Grid submitted a proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to develop a $180 million facility to produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) directly from a Spectra Energy pipeline that delivers fracked gas from Marcellus Shale to Providence. National Grid would then utilize tanker trucks to export the LNG produced in Providence, primarily to locations in Massachusetts.
On Wednesday, Representatives Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dist. 12, Providence), Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence), Aaron Regunberg (D-Dist. 4, Providence), Chris Blazejewski (D-Dist. 2, Providence) and John J. Lombardi (D-Dist. 8, Providence) and Senators Juan Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Gayle Goldin (D-Dist. 3, Providence) and Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence) — called on FERC to reject National Grid’s application
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“No matter how you look at it, this project is a money-maker for the utility at the expense of our community and our state. National Grid is asking us, the rate payers, to foot the $180 million bill for this project, for what? So they can increase their own profits by exporting LNG out of the state! This does nothing to benefit our constituents, and it does nothing to benefit my neighbors on the South Side. All this proposal will do is transfer money from rate payers’ pockets to National Grid’s coffers, and we’re not going to accept it,” said Rep. Almeida.
LNG
LNG is a stable liquid form and without air is is not flammable. However, any temperature one -260 F it converts to methane gas and expands by 600 times, rapidly pressurizing any sealed container. If LNG spills and mixes with airs, it becomes highly flammable and potentially explosive.
“LNG is a dangerous substance. Just two years ago, an LNG facility in Washington state exploded, causing an evacuation of everyone within a two-mile area. If that were to happen at this site, all of my constituents would be in danger. Why is it always our community that must shoulder the collateral damage and safety risks from these toxic projects?," said Rep Diaz.
The officials also urged that the climate consequences of the expand fossil fuel infrastructure be taken into account.
“The science on climate change is clear. If my generation is to have any chance of inheriting an Ocean State with any state left in it, we need to transition to a clean energy economy as quickly as possible. This proposal would sink millions of rate payer dollars into unnecessary new fossil fuel infrastructure that would be used for decades past our climate’s point of no return, and that is a betrayal of our children. Mayor Elorza and the Providence City Council have taken credit for being leaders on climate and environmental issues. But if the city awards a tax stabilization agreement to National Grid to support this project, then it is our belief that the mayor and council can no longer claim this kind of climate leadership. We hope they will do the right thing and tell National Grid that Providence will not facilitate this wasteful, rate payer-funded, environmentally catastrophic scheme” said Rep. Regunberg.
Next Steps
The Providence legislators reported that they are submitting letters detailing their concerns to FERC, joining a growing list of community members and neighborhood organizations opposing National Grid's application.
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In September 2013, three Rhode Island businesses filed a RICO Act suit against Sims Metal Management, who owns and operates two metal scrap yards on Allens Avenue in Providence. SMM filed both answers to the complaint -- as well as a counterclaim.
Below is a timeline of some of the key events in Sims and waterfront developments, as well as dates referenced in the lawsuit -- and counterclaim.
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