LNG Plant and Storage Facility
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MAYOR AND COUNCIL AGENDA CODE: WS DATE SUBMITTED: March 25, 2005 DATE TO GO BEFORE COUNCIL: March 28, 2005 SUBMITTED BY: Stuart Eisenberg STAFF MEMBER: Darsey Nicklasson SUBJECT: Proposed Liquefied Natural Gas Plant and Storage Facility at Chillum near West Hyattsville Metro RECOMMENDATION: To discuss and to develop a policy statement in the form of a resolution that can be shared and jointly signed by the area Municipalities and Civic Associations. SPECIFIC ACTION TO BE TAKEN: To adopt a Resolution of Opposition to the proposed location of the Washington Gas Light LNG Plant and Storage Facility. BACKGROUND: Washington Gas Light Company is requesting the Prince George’s County Planning board to approve a minor change to a special exception (SE-245) for a natural gas storage tank facility located at 2130 Chillum Road. The location is within the West Hyattsville Metro Transit District Overlay Zone (TDOZ) and adjacent to the Northwest Branch and stream valley park. Washington Gas is proposing to reinstate the currently decommissioned site as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and storage facility to meet projected customer demand in the developing tier. The site was decommissioned in 1999. The proposed storage tank is approximately 144 feet in diameter and 153 feet tall and will be located in the footprint of one of the prior gas holding tanks. Additional piping and gas processing equipment will be required. CH-IV is the engineering firm out of Benville, MD that is designing the proposed facility and is expected to oversee its construction. The proposed facility would be located within 1,500 feet of the Metro station and within 2,000 feet distance of the homes of 3,000 residents. If the special exception is approved, Washington Gas proposes to begin construction in November 2006. It will take three (3) years to complete the project. Washington Gas has not made any community outreach efforts other than community meetings hosted by County Councilman Will Campos. A public meeting was hosted at the Hyattsville Municipal meeting on Wednesday, March 16th and at the Chillum Community Center on Thursday, March 24th. STAFF COMMENT: Recommend that the Mayor and Council adopt a resolution of opposition to the proposed location of the Washington Gas Light LNG Plant and Storage Facility and their request for a minor change to the special exception. Washington Gas is proposing to change the use of the facility not just the footprint of the site. Previously it was a natural gas storage facility, but it was decommissioned in 1999 and has not been used as such since. The proposed installation of the LNG is a different and therefore should be classified as a new use of the site. The proposal for the installation of the LNG does not complement other land uses in the area. The land uses surrounding the West Hyattsville Metro Station should be transit-oriented which calls for a higher density use in order to better utilize the metro to meet residents’ transportation needs. Furthermore, staff recommends the development of a community outreach effort, in coordination with other civic organizations, to inform residents of the proposal, impacts on our community, organize a campaign to sign residents as Persons of Record, write to elected officials and speak at upcoming public meetings and hearing. FUNCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Improve the safety and quality of life for all residents SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: Title 49 – Transportation, Chapter I, Part 193 – Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Federal Safety Standards, Statement of Qualifications – CH-IV, International, Safety History of International LNG Operations. Washington Gas special exception application, Statement of Justification and site plans are available for viewing upon request. BUDGET IMPACT: None * CODE: WS = Work Session CM = Council Meeting Draft Resolution of Opposition We, the undersigned Municipalities and Civic Associations, on behalf of the residents we represent, wish to declare and resolve to all County, State, and Federal authorities, lawmakers, regulators, planners, transit authorities and utility operators in the Washington Metropolitan region that we oppose the placement of any Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Plant and Re- gasification facility or Peak-shaving facility within, adjacent, or in proximity to densely- populated residential neighborhoods, important commuter transit stations, transit-oriented development planning areas, or previously-planned-for residential developments of an urban design orientation. Whereas the Washington Gas and Light Company has proposed and applied for a “minor change” to its Special Exception and a permit to build a Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Plant and Re-gasification Peak-shaving facility for its Chillum, Maryland property, and Whereas the proposed change in use from the previous storage of Natural Gas, to the proposed use as a Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Plant and Re-gasification Peak-shaving facility is a use change that is a “major change” and substantial, hazardous, and industrial in nature, and Whereas the site is located within a densely populated and long established residential neighborhood where approximately 3000 people currently reside within 2000 feet of the proposed facility, and Whereas, the site is located within 1500 feet of the West Hyattsville Metro Station and within the proposed Transit District Overlay Zone and is a critical property in the Transit District Development Plan of the West Hyattsville Metro Station, and is not a compatible land use, and Whereas the Washington Gas and Light Company did not forthrightly and openly participate in any public forum, discussion, or regional planning processes that openly and frankly discussed the implications of siting a Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Plant and Re-gasification Peak- shaving facility in Prince Georges County in a timely fashion that would allow for the County to develop model guidelines for the Master Planning of such a facility, despite opportunities to do so, and Whereas the Washington Gas and Light Company has no organizational experience in the management and maintenance of a Liquefied Natural Gas Storage Plant and Re-gasification Peak-shaving facility, and Whereas there is a widespread consensus that valid Environmental Justice issues relating to the placement of this facility need to be a foremost concern amongst lawmakers and regulators who are considering the permitting of this facility, because the projected service capacity increase is targeted to serve growth in areas of Prince Georges County that are located in the Developing Tier and not in this economically challenged and under-performing Inner Beltway community in the Developed Tier, and Whereas this proposed use will have a severe and negative effect upon the local economy and proposed private development projects and investments currently under discussion for properties in the vicinity, We the undersigned, request that the following actions be taken to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of residents in Prince George’s County, and the economic viability of our communities: That a State and County legislative moratorium be immediately enacted to prevent the permitting of this or any LNG facility of its kind in the County until such time as facilities such as this can be properly studied and guidelines for siting them can be developed by MNCPP-C and incorporated into the Master Planning process of the County, and That the full Environmental Justice policy dimensions of this proposed location for the facility be addressed by the Prince George’s County Council, and other relevant agencies, and That the application for a permit to build the proposed facility at this location be denied for the aforementioned reasons, and That the County Council, acting as the District Council, request economic impact reports be drafted by independent analysts, at the applicants’ expense, in light of the applicant’s foreknowledge of the planning and redevelopments efforts underway for the adjoining Metro- owned properties within the Transit District Development Plan. Draft prepared by Council Pres. S.Eisenberg From http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/49cfr193_02.html To access files go to site and link to applicable standard Title 49--Transportation CHAPTER I--RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PART 193--LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITIES: FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS 193.2001 Scope of part. 193.2005 Applicability. 193.2007 Definitions. 193.2009 Rules of regulatory construction. 193.2011 Reporting. 193.2013 Incorporation by reference. 193.2017 Plans and procedures. 193.2019 Mobile and temporary LNG facilities. 193.2051 Scope. 193.2057 Thermal radiation protection. 193.2059 Flammable vapor-gas dispersion protection. 193.2067 Wind forces. 193.2101 Scope. 193.2119 Records 193.2155 Structural requirements. 193.2161 Dikes, general. 193.2167 Covered systems. 193.2173 Water removal. 193.2181 Impoundment capacity: LNG storage tanks. 193.2187 Nonmetallic membrane liner. 193.2301 Scope. 193.2303 Construction acceptance. 193.2304 Corrosion control overview. 193.2321 Nondestructive tests. 193.2401 Scope. 193.2441 Control center. 193.2445 Sources of power. 193.2501 Scope. 193.2503 Operating procedures. 193.2505 Cooldown. 193.2507 Monitoring operations. 193.2509 Emergency procedures. 193.2511 Personnel safety. 193.2513 Transfer procedures. 193.2515 Investigations of failures. 193.2517 Purging. 193.2519 Communication systems. 193.2521 Operating records. 193.2601 Scope. 193.2603 General.