The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has determined that the New Fortress Energy Company’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal in the Port of San Juan has been built and is functioning without complying with federal law. Natural gas, the organizations of the Renewable Energy Alliance Now (AERA) reported this Monday.
Therefore, the federal agency will assume jurisdiction and require New Fortress to submit a request to determine whether or not it authorizes the terminal to operate.
“We feel some relief to know that we are finally going to intervene in this situation that worries us, as we don’t want another accident like Capeco or Humberto Vidal to happen. You can’t wait for a tragedy to occur and then take action. All lives are worth living and people deserve to feel safe where they live, ”said Sary Rosario, a resident of Puerto Nuevo Norte, in written statements.
“The volatility of methane gas exposes vulnerable communities to the risk of explosion accidents as the closest homes to the New Fortress terminal are approximately 400 meters from this facility. Likewise, burning methane gas causes respiratory problems, including asthma, among other adverse effects on residents’ health, which is especially dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic, ”said Rosario.
For its part, New Fortress Energy, through written statements, assured that they will work with FERC to speed up the certification process.
“It is important to note that the decision does not interrupt operations and allows for installation
achieving significant fuel cost savings and emission reductions for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico, ”the written statements read.
FERC’s decision is in response to multiple claims and efforts by the communities near the unauthorized New Fortress Terminal, as well as Puerto Rican religious, environmental and civic groups. The organizations that make up AERA and other entities warned the federal entity of the danger of the highly explosive and polluting New Fortress LNG Terminal.
He said New Fortress began construction and operation of the terminal in the Port of San Juan to supply methane gas to units 5 and 6 of the Puerto Nuevo power plant and private companies. In addition, New Fortress built the terminal without meeting the requirement to prepare a site consultation and without the ability for nearby communities and affected groups to participate in public hearings.
The AERA organizations and various sectors of the country have made their voices heard on the health and safety risks posed by this operation, especially for the communities of Sabana, Amelia and Vietnam in Guaynabo, and for the Borinquen and Puerto Nuevo Norte districts in San Juan.
“People living near this terminal have legitimate concerns about their lives and health,” Rosario emphasized. “This is a matter of environmental justice for the communities and also of climate justice, as the burning of fossil fuels such as methane is contributing to the dire consequences of the climate crisis.”
The organizations that make up AERA and the Hermandad Pastoral de Puerto Nuevo, to which pastors of churches in these communities belong, requested the intervention of FERC in this case. Felipe Lozada Montañez, bishop emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Puerto Rico, said that “defending life is the most important and fundamental part is defending the environment, which is part of creation.”
New Fortress is also under investigation by law for alleged irregularities under which it built and operates the terminal.
AERA is promoting the proposal from Queremos Sol (quierosolpr.com) calling on PREPA to install solar systems on subscriber roofs as the main alternative to generating electricity in Puerto Rico.
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