Like any energy project intruded into a neighborhood<\/strong>, the Cove Point LNG terminal has prompted significant conversation about environmental impacts. When we traveled to Cove Point, Maryland we interviewed community members, commissioners, and activists, getting the opportunity to hear the voice of many individuals. Some of these individuals had very strong concerns and others did not. Through our interviews and outside research on other LNG sites, we were able to collect the list of red flags noted below.<\/span><\/p>\n Environmental concerns are one of the main reasons LNG is such a \u00a0controversial topic. The uncertainty and distrust for LNG has caused drilling bans in several towns in places such as New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Colorado, and Vermont. Citizens have been arrested for protesting, communities have created Community Bills of Rights, and courts have blocked federal land drilling (Ladd, 2014, pg. 294).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n There are a lot of concerns raised and possible environmental threats.<\/strong> The question is are they significant enough to cause real damage? The answer is WE DON\u2019T KNOW. There is not enough research done or data available for anyone to make definite or certain statements regarding the environmental impact of this LNG and this is what we see as a major negligence in the FERC process<\/a>. Any policy made will be reactive instead of proactive and since Dominion Cove Point is under construction already we can only hope for the best. We won\u2019t know the damage until it\u2019s already done. Hopefully, we can look it this LNG as an example of what not to do in the future. The precautionary principle states that the \u201cLack of scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation\u201d (\u201cRio Declaration,\u201d 1992). This means that \u00a0it is better to wait and evaluate the impact of a project before it is implemented and in the case of the LNG, postponing would do little harm to the community. \u00a0It will protect the environment and human lives. If the citizens voiced their concerns then those concerns are worth investigating. Afterall, the government is supposed to work for the people. <\/span><\/p>\n Below are video clips of what some citizens had to say regarding the environmental impact of Dominion Cove Point:<\/strong><\/p>\nList of issues\/concerns<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Conclusions<\/b><\/h3>\n