Dominion Wins PSC Approval for Cove Point LNG Export Project

Dominion Wins PSC Approval for Cove Point LNG Export Project

Dominion received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Maryland Public Service Commission, related to the company’s plan to add export capability at its Cove Point liquefied natural gas facility in Calvert County.

The certificate was needed for two 65-megawatt steam turbine generators that produce electricity. The waste heat from two combustion turbines, which are used to drive compressors to produce LNG, will be recycled to produce steam to drive the steam turbines.

The PSC approval came 15 days after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its environmental assessment that found the natural gas export project proposed for Cove Point can be built and operated safely with no significant impact to the environment.

“The Cove Point LNG facility has been in existence for nearly 40 years and this export project makes the most of existing facilities. The air emissions from Cove Point will comply with stringent health-based federal and state limits and requirements while the LNG will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in two countries that are striving to clean their air while continuing to grow their economies,” said Diane Leopold, president-Dominion Energy.

The construction of the export project, which is estimated to cost between $3.4 billion and $3.8 billion, will create thousands of skilled construction jobs, 75 permanent jobs and an additional $40 million in annual tax revenue to Calvert County. The county today receives $15.7 million a year from the LNG import facility.

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Press Release, June 2, 2014; Image: Dominion