O P I N I O N
Downeast LNG Hazards Filing
is Alarming
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently requested more information from Downeast LNG regarding the proposed project’s LNG vapor dispersion hazards. Downeast LNG had omitted the calculation input parameters, the assumptions made by Downeast LNG, and the results. Downeast LNG has finally submitted the missing information. The results reveal even more alarming conditions than Downeast LNG had previously indicated.
Downeast LNG has fumbled along since the start of their project. First, they selected their site without even considering the LNG industry’s own best practices, or their project’s actual safety requirements in order to prevent terminal hazards from harming the public.
As a result, Downeast LNG is now planning to construct over 1.76-miles of “vapor fences” along their entire land-side property line, including over a half-mile of 30-foot-tall vapor fences along US-1, 25-foot-tall vapor fences within that outer vapor fence, and then additional 20-foot-tall vapor fences within that one. They are planning an absurd “fences-within-fences-within-fences” configuration in an attempt to keep hazardous -260°F heavier-than-air LNG vapors from leaving the property and harming the public.” Even so, the vapor could pour onto Mill Cove and the intertidal zone to the cove’s south. Plus, the fences-within-fences configuration presents a potential confined vapor explosion scenario that could erupt out onto US-1 and across the highway to neighboring residences. The site is too small to properly contain the hazards.
And, besides the 30-foot-tall vapor fences adjacent to the scenic area, Downeast LNG would place a 4,000-foot-long jetty and pier directly across the mouth of that scenic cove. Plus, Maine has already filed to the Federal Government that the jetty is over a half-mile too long for the Maine Submerged Lands permit that Downeast LNG would need.
Downeast LNG apparently cannot think of a better place for its project than one that violates its own industry’s best practices; requires a pier over one-half-mile longer than allowed in the State of Maine across a state-defined scenic view; and where unsightly, giganitc vapor fences would be required in an attempt to prevent public harm.
There is now a proposal to export LNG from Goldboro, Nova Scotia, using the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline to send natural gas northward from the US. And, Canadian natural gas participants have recently suggested that Canaport LNG should reverse direction and start exporting.
Any perceived need for Downeast LNG’s project has been overwhelmed by North America’s sea of domestic natural gas. It is long past time for Downeast LNG to pack up and go home.
– Robert Godfrey, Eastport, Maine