Annapolis, MD (January 31, 2007) - Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold is urging Federal regulators to reject an application to build a liquefied natural gas facility at Sparrows Point. "This is the wrong project, in the wrong place, at the wrong time," Said County Executive Leopold. Following up Mr. Leopold’s testimony last June to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the County Executive wrote a letter voicing his strong opposition to the proposed facility because there are thousands of Anne Arundel County residents within miles of Sparrows Point. "The tankers, which could be as long as three football fields, would pass within a few miles of Riviera Beach, Venice on the Bay, Kurtz Beach and Bayside Beach," said Mr. Leopold. "Public safety should be a top priority, and these tankers are potential terrorist targets. Locating a facility at Sparrows Point is simply not worth the risk." County Executive Leopold also expressed his concern on the environmental impact the project would have, recognizing that an estimated 4 million to 4.5 million cubic yards of dredge material would have to be removed to prepare access channels and turning basins. Notice of the application process was posted January 23, 2007 and the agency is now taking public comments. | 
