Elorza opposes LNG project

A federal project to build a liquefied natural gas processing facility in Providence is not in the city’s best interest, said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza Thursday, in a statement released by his office. / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS
A federal project to build a liquefied natural gas processing facility in Providence is not in the city’s best interest, said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza Thursday, in a statement released by his office. / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS

(Updated 11:04 a.m.)
PROVIDENCE – A federal project to build a liquefied natural gas processing facility in Providence is not in the city’s best interest, said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza Thursday, in a statement released by his office.
The mayor cited environmental concerns associated with hydraulic fracking, which he said is devastating communities located near the extraction sources of natural gas.
“I do not want to see the project move forward,” Elorza said. “Providence has the opportunity and moral obligation to be leaders in clean, renewable energy, and that is the direction our city should move in.”
The liquefaction facility, proposed by National Grid, would liquefy and store natural gas already coming through the site, near the Port of Providence. The project also includes construction of a reinforced concrete containment wall around the tank, which can hold 23 million gallons. In recent filings, National Grid estimated the project at $180 million.
The project is not before the city for review, however. It is under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, called FERC, which has authority because the facility would allow National Grid to transport the liquefied natural gas produced on-site to points in Massachusetts.
FERC held its public hearing on the proposal in Providence in October 2015 and is now evaluating the project. At the time of the public hearing, Elorza said he was reviewing the proposal.
The mayor’s statement of opposition released Thursday is not expected to be forwarded to the federal commission, according to his spokeswoman, Emily Crowell. She said the mayor took the public position this week after considering statements from experts and feedback from the community.
In recent weeks, several elected state officials who represent Providence at the General Assembly have opposed the project. Six state representatives and three state senators, all Providence Democrats, submitted a letter in early August to FERC asking the regulatory commission to reject the National Grid application.
The group cited safety concerns for the neighborhood, which is part of South Providence, infrastructure costs for state ratepayers and environmental impacts.
David Graves, a spokesman for National Grid, said in a statement that the existing natural gas storage facility at Field’s Point has operated safely for 40 years, and pointed out that the new facility will generate tens of millions of dollars in property tax for Providence.
As for renewable energy, he said it is a part of the energy supply at this point.
“We believe that diverse energy sources are necessary to meet customer needs. The day may come when renewable energy will be the primary source of power in New England, but that day is well into the future,” Graves said.

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