MARCH 19, 2015
COVE POINT, MARYLAND
Dominion Cove Point LNG will pay $365,000 to settle
allegations that it released ammonia into the air from its liquefied natural
gas distribution facility in Lusby, Md without reporting it.
The EPA cited Dominion for not reporting 27 releases of more
than 100 pounds of ammonia from its turbines while generating electricity at
the site.
Facilities are required to report any release of more than
100 pounds to the National Response Center, the state emergency response
commission and local emergency planning officials, all of which Dominion failed
to do. The company also didn’t submit the required follow-up reports to those
agencies.
“When manufacturing facilities experience the release of a
reportable substance, they must notify emergency responders so nearby
communities can be properly protected,” said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA Mid-Atlantic
Regional Administrator.
Garvin said Dominion is now providing continuous emissions
reporting.
Dominion releases ammonia during its production of
electricity to run the factory. The natural gas turbines’ catalytic system uses
ammonia to control emissions of nitrogen oxides from its stacks, reducing the
emission of greenhouse gases.
Would you trust a company that willfully fails to report emissions? We would not. And this company is building an LNG export facility in an area surrounded by population and in a very beautiful ecosystem. We sense disaster is on its way.