Md. Lawmakers Propose Bills Restricting LNG Facility Siting
The Prince George’s County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly has proposed a law prohibiting approval of “a special exception for property to be used as a liquefied natural gas storage facility if the PG County District Council determines that the proposed use is unreasonably close to a heavily populated area or a public transportation center.” Bill 927 would be applied retroactively to govern any application or permit issued for an LNG facility on or after January 1, 2005. The bill appears directed at a Washington Gas Light proposal to build an LNG peak shaving terminal in Prince George’s County.
Simultaneously, the Prince George’s delegation joined by the Montgomery County delegation presented Bill 1095 requiring a three-fourths vote by the District Council, as opposed to the current simple majority requirement, in order to approve any LNG storage facility able to hold more than 5,000 gallons of LNG.
Both bills are available here.