Exporting Pennsylvania’s fracked gas could mean a new $7 billion liquified gas facility along the Delaware River, affecting Chester and Eddystone, writes Nina Sablan for Inside Climate News.
Chester already feels the effects of industrial sites along the river.
Air pollution is blamed for high rates of deadly illnesses in Chester and surrounding communities.
Researchers and community groups believe an LNG terminal would only increase air pollution, add a potential threat of explosions, increase the risk for tanker and pipeline accidents, and contribute to global warming.
Protests are forming even as the Trump Administration looks to dramatically increase LNG exports. State lawmakers look at the thousands of jobs the terminal could generate.
Local concerns have outweighed economic considerations so far, but now that President Trump has declared a national energy emergency, the idea of LNG terminals is back.
In April, Pennsylvania Republican Sen. David McCormick announced that Penn America was collaborating with the Pennsylvania Building Trades on a $7 billion LNG export terminal in Eddystone Borough, next to Chester.
“It’s the potential of death,” said Chester resident David Kronheim. “It doesn’t matter where they build it. If you’re within 10 miles you’re in trouble.”
Read more about the health impacts from industrial sites in the Chester area in Inside Climate News.
