Liquefied Natural Gas Boom Sparks Safety Worries

[Susan Gawarecki <loc@icx.net>]

Another source of deadly radiation.....



--Susan Gawarecki



In the DAILY GRIST, 06 Apr 2004:

Liquefied Natural Gas Boom Sparks Safety Worries



The surging popularity of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has local 

communities where LNG terminals are planned worried about safety. Ships 

carrying five LNG tanks contain as much energy as a nuclear weapon.  If 

even one of the tanks spilled and the gas ignited, it could cause a fire 

up to half a mile wide, and the resulting thermal radiation could burn 

people up to half a mile beyond the fire, say some researchers.  

Currently there are only four LNG terminals in the U.S., but more than 

30 are under consideration, many in densely populated areas.  The Bush 

administration, which is backing expanded use of LNG, points to the 

fuel's clean safety record -- there have been no dangerous incidents 

involving LNG in the U.S., though a January explosion at an LNG terminal 

in Algeria killed 22.   In response to local attempts to block 

construction of new terminals, the Department of Energy and the Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission are attempting to assert sole authority 

over approvals for new LNG facilities.



straight to the source:  The Christian Science Monitor, Mark Clayton, 06 

Apr 2004

<http://www.gristmagazine.com/cgi-bin/forward.pl?forward_id=2263>



see also, in Grist:  Liquid assets -- should enviros embrace liquefied 

natural gas? --

by Amanda Griscom in Powers That Be

<http://www.gristmagazine.com/powers/powers110603.asp?source=daily>





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