The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determined that the New Fortress Energy Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal at the Port of San Juan was built and operates without complying with the Federal Law on Natural Gas, the organizations of the Alliance of Renewable Energy Now (AERA) reported this Monday.
Therefore, the federal agency will assume jurisdiction, requiring New Fortress to submit an application to determine whether or not to authorize the operation of the terminal.
“We are a little relieved to know that in the end we will start intervening with this situation that worries us because we do not want another accident like Capeco or Humberto Vidal to happen. A tragedy cannot be expected to happen. by then take action. All lives are worthwhile and people deserve to feel safe where they reside, “said Sary Rosari, a Port Nou Nord resident in written statements.
“The volatility of methane gas exposes communities vulnerable to the risk of an accident due to an explosion, as the homes closest to the New Fortress terminal are approximately 400 meters away from this facility. Similarly, the burning of methane gas causes respiratory problems, including asthma, among other adverse health effects for residents, which is especially dangerous in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, ”Rosari said.
For its part, New Fortress Energy assured, through written statements working alongside FERC to quickly work on the certification process.
“It is important to note that the decision does not interrupt operations and allows the installation to continue
providing significant fuel cost savings and emission reductions for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico, ”the written statements read.
FERC’s decision responds to multiple complaints and actions from communities near the unauthorized New Fortress Terminal, as well as Puerto Rican religious, environmental and civilian groups. The organizations that make up AERA and other entities warned the federal agency about the danger posed by the highly explosive and polluting New Fortress LNG Terminal.
He mentioned that New Fortress began construction and operation of the terminal at Puerto de San Juan to supply methane gas to Units 5 and 6 of the Power Plant in Puerto Nou and to private companies. In addition, New Fortress built the terminal without meeting the requirement to prepare a location consultation and with no opportunity for nearby communities and affected groups to participate in public hearings.
AERA organizations and different sectors of the country have raised their voices in the face of the health and safety risks that this operation represents, especially for the communities of Sabana, Amelia and Vietnam in Guaynabo, and for the Borinquen and Port neighborhood. New North of San Juan.
“People living near this terminal have legitimate concerns concerning their life and health,” Rosari stressed. “This is a matter of eco-justice for communities and also of climate justice, as the burning of fossil fuels such as methane gas contributes to the dire consequences of the climate crisis.”
The organizations that make up AERA and the Pastoral Brotherhood of Port Nou, which includes pastors of churches in these communities, requested the intervention of FERC in this case. Felipe Lozada Montañez, Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Puerto Rico, stated that “defending life is the main thing and a fundamental part is defending the environment, which is part of creation.”
New Fortress is also under legislative investigation for alleged irregularities under which it built and is operating the terminal.
AERA promotes the proposal of Volem Sol (queremossolpr.com) which calls on the AEE to install solar systems on the roofs of the properties of the subscribers as the main alternative for generating electricity in Puerto Rico.
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