Cove Point liquefied natural gas export decision draws fire

Environmental groups expressed outrage Tuesday with a federal decision to allow for liquefied natural gas exports from a terminal on the Maryland coast.

In a late Monday decision, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorized Dominion Cove Pont LNG to build its Cove Point project in Maryland. The project gives Dominion the authority to export up to 770,000 cubic feet of LNG per day to countries that don't have a free-trade agreement with the United States.

Deb Nardone, director of the gas advocacy division of Sierra Club, said the decision is flawed because FERC didn't consider the subsequent increase in hydraulic fracturing that would come as a result of LNG exports.

"FERC should be standing up for the public good, not the interests of dirty polluters," she said in a statement.

Campaign group Earthjustice added it may take its case to court because of what it said was an inadequate environmental review from FERC.

FERC said Monday its decision came after more than two years of consideration and a review of more than 650 comments issued by the public and federal, state and local agencies on the application.

FERC, in a 241-page filing in May, said there would be "no significant impact" on the environment provided the company follows the estimated 80 mitigation measures.