Maryland LNG Bill Amended, Vote Tomorrow
The Maryland Senate bill (crossfiled with House Bill 1670) that would have prohibited the construction or operation of an LNG facility within 2 miles of any residence in Baltimore County, Maryland, was amended today by the Senate Finance Committee, and has been sent to the floor for a vote. Language in SB 996 prohibiting the approval of such LNG facilities was replaced with provisions creating the “Baltimore County Liquefied Natural Gas Task Force” to investigate and report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the safety and security concerns surrounding an LNG production, storage or regasification facility in Baltimore County. AES’ proposed Sparrows Point LNG terminal is located in Baltimore County.
Separately, yesterday the Maryland Senate Finance Committee issued an unfavorable report on Senate Bill 997 (crossfiled with House Bill 1671), the proposal that would have vested statewide siting authority over LNG facilities with the Maryland Public Service Commission. With the general session coming to a close, this makes the passage of SB 997 unlikely.