Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline has called upon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to delay issuing an environmental impact statement to Keyspan for its proposed liquefied natural gas facilities in Providence.
In a letter to federal regulators, Cicilline said the project presents “an array of extraordinary challenges” to fire, police, emergency management and other local agencies, which are responsible for preparing and fulfilling an emergency response plan for the facility.
Cicilline said the FERC’s decision to proceed with an EIS before the state and affected municipalities have a chance to develop an effective emergency response plan would be inappropriately premature.
“I am asking that FERC delay issuing an environmental impact statement until an emergency response plan, acceptable to state and all affected communities, has been completed and implementation of the plan is a realistic prospect,” said Cicilline. “A comprehensive, executable plan must be finalized and agreed upon before the EIS is completed.”
The mayor said Providence Fire Chief David Costa and other members of his administration have spent the past several months attending meetings about the proposed LNG facilities and seeking information from Keyspan about the scope of the project.
He said developing a comprehensive emergency response plan places a “unique demand on limited city resources.”
“To develop an appropriate plan, Providence, and surely other municipalities, will need to draw on outside expertise and assistance,” said Cicilline. “This task is not in the normal course of business for Providence. The cost for developing the emergency response plan must be borne by the applicants.”
In addition, Cicilline said he expects Keyspan to reimburse the city for the cost of additional safety measures Providence may have to implement such as new equipment, regular safety upgrades, and training.
He also pointed to what he called “serious reservations” over the proposed structure for developing a statewide emergency response plan (SERP).
Cicilline said some participants in the process do not agree on the need for cascading events, which are emergency situations that could result from a catastrophic event.
“I believe it would be irresponsible to not account for cascading events in a SERP,” he said.
The mayor also asked FERC to hold public hearings in Providence again after
it issues a draft EIS to give residents opportunity to comment at “critical
turning points” in the process, and as more detailed information about the precise
nature of the modifications becomes available.
