Washington, D.C. (October 10, 2017) — A recently filmed video from the Cove Point LNG Terminal Export Project, one of only three liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants being built in the United States to export natural gas overseas, will make its debut at the 17th Annual Zero Injury Safety Awards® (ZISA) Gala.

The video consists of six spokespeople, one of whom is a LIUNA Local Union 11 member, speaking about their experiences working on this project as well as footage from the nearly completed facility. Of the approximately 4,000 workers on site, 240 are laborers. Located on Chesapeake Bay, Cove Point is receiving special mention at the gala due to substantial measures taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of surrounding communities in Lusby, Maryland.

“This expansion created thousands of family-sustaining jobs, and will continue providing job and economic opportunities once exporting begins,” said Dennis L. Martire, Vice President and Regional Manager of LIUNA Mid-Atlantic.

The entire country benefits from this project. With export capabilities, the U.S. can maintain lower gas prices while also being able to assist foreign countries that want to pursue cleaner energy alternatives. Japan and India are the recipients of Cove Point’s LNG. Increasing LNG resources was made possible by tapping into two of the most abundant natural gas basins in North America, the Marcellus and Utica Shales.

Dominion Energy℠ owns Cove Point LNG Terminal and utilized the services of a joint venture between IHI E&C and Kiewit Energy Company, under the name IHI/Kiewit, in constructing additional liquefaction units for natural gas exports.

Visually, there is a patchwork of pipes going in all directions in which natural gas goes into three different processes: compression, pretreatment, and liquefaction. 80-foot high walls enclose the site, which assists the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard in protection.

Groundbreaking began in March 2015, and is set for operation at the end of 2017. Laborers are performing utility services and housekeeping on site. Upon completion, turnover will take place. However, it is estimated that 100 laborers will be kept on for another year working on parking lots and deconstructing temporary structures.

Dominion Energy℠ and Kiewit also thanked Local 11 and other trades on site for joining them in a petition seeking to modify the current emissions permit.

“I am proud of the amazing job that our Local 11 members have done on this project,” said Local Union 11 Business Manager, Dennis Desmond, upon completing a recent tour of the site.

Presented by the National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee, Inc. (NMPAC), The 2017 ZISA Gala is taking place on November 2, 2017 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. 

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The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Mid-Atlantic Region represents more than 40,000 working men and women in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and North Carolina.