Governor Martin O'Malley's Statement on U.S. Secretary of Commerce Decision Today
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 26, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley released the following statement today, in response to a decision by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez overturning the previous decision by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to deny Coastal Zone Consistency to the AES Sparrow’s Point LNG project in Baltimore County.
“We are extremely disappointed by the decision announced today by Secretary Gutierrez, which we believe to be the wrong decision for the people of Maryland. The proposed LNG project at Sparrow’s Point represents a threat to our homeland security, a threat to our environment and Chesapeake Bay and a threat to the families of eastern Baltimore County. The overturning of MDE’s original decision to deny Coastal Zone Consistency enhances this threat.
“We are reviewing the basis of today’s decision to determine the next steps. Despite our disappointment in today’s decision, we will continue to stand by the residents of Baltimore County in their fight to protect the health and safety of their neighbors.”
