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Judge overturns zoning restriction law
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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - A federal judge overturned a Baltimore County zoning law restricting liquefied natural gas terminals to at least five miles from homes — a victory for a Virginia-based energy company proposing such a facility at the Sparrows Point peninsula near the Key Bridge.
U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett ruled Tuesday that the zoning law adopted by the County Council in May is unenforceable and pre-empted by the Natural Gas Act, which gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the exclusive authority to determine if and where a company can build an LNG terminal.
Energy firm AES Corp. asked the court to examine the zoning law as it seeks federal approval of a $400 million LNG terminal at Sparrows Point, less than two miles from homes in the Turners Station neighborhood. County officials said they were “disappointed” by the ruling, but plan to pursue other legislative proposals to derail the project, including adding LNG terminals to a list of banned facilities in the county’s Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
“This won’t deter us at all,” county spokesman Don Mohler said. “We’re still going full-speed ahead.”
Under AES’ plan, massive tankers will carry LNG to the peninsula, where it will be heated and revaporized, then transported in an 87-mile pipeline through Harford County and into southern Pennsylvania. Company officials said they consider the site remote, the process safe and estimate the project will generate $13 million in annual state and local taxes.
Challengers allege the dredging required to accommodate the tankers will disrupt contaminated sediment at the bottom of Baltimore’s harbor and fear an explosion.
jmalarkey@baltimoreexaminer.com
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STUDENT said:
mr.oei has made the name of our school bad. now that he has done this everyone will now bout freedom high school but not in a good way. they will always know it as the school with the bad V.P.
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Rose Johnson said:
I read the complaints about Ross Ridge apartments,I moved in April 22 of this year.I am having the same problems,I have not seen any mice yet and I live on the bottom floor.My air conditioner was leaking and they left nasty brown stains on my wall which have not been fixed yet,2 months ago.My carpet is wet by the door where the air conditioner is.My bathroom has mold and water stains all over the ceiling above shower head,and stain marks streaking all the way down the tile.I was told there is a leak upstairs and that needed to fixed first before they could fix mine,but that was 2 1/2 weeks ago.Also there is mold around the ceiling along with the water spots.My refrigerator door was not shutting for a month,and was leaving cold air out ,running more than it should have,the light stayed on constantly,open the door and water flys out at you.Took door off and said to take out light bulb.Well frig is still dripping.dishwasher is not bolted to counter,it falls out.They do not fix anything.
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Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have an update on the ongoing suit of Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Does anyone here know of someone that currently lives there? Has Ross Ridge made any changes or renovations to their apartments? Thank you in advance for your response.
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Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have any update on Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Thank you.
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Examiner Reader said:
I currently live in Morgan Properties Towson Crossing Apartments. I have been complaining about the mice infestation for over 2 years now. I was told the infestation was because of the renovations. They even put in there newsletter ways to control the infestation by using peppermint oil. This was something I told them I was trying. The exterminator they sent even said there are alot of holes around the baseboard of the floors that needs repairs. With our cheap renovation which consisted of spray painting the bathroom tub and shower, we also got new carpet in the halls, new number signs outside the apt building but no concern, help or remedy to the infestation.
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Examiner Reader said:
whats the status of this case... I live in the apartments now and am having the same problems
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Examiner Reader said:
Towson Crossings Apartments Tenants (Morgan Properties) are experiencing the same horrific living conditions! This morning one of the tenants posted a message in reference to the tenants moving out and the rodents moving in. Ignored work requests, filthy surroundings, trash and filth;I have encountered mice, waterbugs, roaches, crickets, spiders, in less than a month in my newly renovated $880+ top floor, 2-bedroom apartment. I'm so tired of tip toeing through my apartment out of fear of seeing/stepping on something. Its nerve wrecking for someone who maintains cleanliness, work hard to have to find peace outside of "what's considered home". Terrified Unhappy Tenant of Towson Crossings
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