Watch CBS News

Protest During MNF Centers Around Facility In Southern Md.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZ) -- A high profile protest in the middle of Monday Night Football in North Carolina. It all has to do with a controversial project right here in Maryland.

Tracey Leong shows us the protest and how it all centers around a facility in Southern Maryland.

Dominion is building a liquid natural gas plant in Calvert County. Activists claim it puts thousands of lives at risk.

Protestors hanging above the fans at the Bank of America Stadium, revealing a sign, saying "Bank of America Dump Dominion."

Activists with the group We Are Cove Point, protesting trucks bringing in liquid gas from fracking that will be processed at Cove Point then shipped overseas and Bank of America for helping to fund the project.

"This facility should not be built within a residential area--period," said Tracey Eno, lives near facility.

Eno lives on Cove Point. She says this stunt draws the attention they want.

"Create publicity and give us a platform to say we need a quantitative risk assessment. We need this company to prove it is safe," said Eno.

Dominion maintains any risks will be contained and there has not been an injury or fatality caused outside the boundaries of a liquefied natural gas facility anywhere in the world in about 70 years.

Because this project is being built at the top of a peninsula, residents fear they will be trapped in the event of a disaster.

"The community would like to know what could happen, what is worst case scenario," said Nancy Ball, lives near facility.

A map shows all the businesses, schools and playgrounds within a two mile radius of the LNG plant, including more than 2,000 homes--some scared an explosion or fire could destroy their town.

"I am angry that I am being told, 'Well, if you don't like it, you should move,'" said Eno. "Why should I have to move? This is my home. I love this place."

Dominion called Monday's stunt at the stadium irresponsible, endangering lives for publicity.

The project is 47 percent complete. It will be operating by 2017.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.