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Fall River mayor:
Risk from LNG is too great
C. Eugene Emery Jr.,Providence
Sunday Journal Staff Writer - 8/1/2004
Acknowledging that it is unable
to assess the threat posed by a terrorist attack, The Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has ruled in a draft report
that a liquefied natural gas offloading facility on the Taunton
River, and the pipelines associated with it, would not pose a
significant environmental hazard. The preliminary impact statement
says the risk of a serious LNG spill from a collision, grounding
or other accident "is highly unlikely" and asserts
that any problems caused by a terrorist attack "can be managed."
It also seems unlikely that the report, currently available only
as an executive summary, will reassure the legions of critics
who don't want the project to go through, including officials
in Fall River and Somerset, which is across the Taunton River
from the site. Opponents fear that if a shoulder-launched missile
fired by a terrorist were to release and ignite the frigid duel
- either from the storage tank at Weaver's Cove of from an LNG
tanker traveling up Narragansett Bay to the Taunton River - it
would cause an unprecedented inferno.
A FERC report released this spring concluded that a 3-foot gash
in a tank or tanker could release enough fuel to, if ignited,
inflict second-degree burns on someone standing one-half mile
away for only 40 seconds.
The tankers would pass under the Pell, Mount Hope, Braga, and
Brightman Street bridges.
However, the draft environmental impact statement downplays that
threat, saying the effect of an accidental LNG spill "should
be considered negligible" and the risks posed by an attempted
terrorist attack "can be managed."
"Maybe they have a secret plan in the body of the document
(to prevent an attack), but I don't think so," said Fall
River Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr. "They think the risk is
incredibly small and worth someone living with. But in the post
9/11 world, I think there is no level of risk people should be
asked to live when an alternative exists." The mayor said
LNG projects can be located offshore or in remote locations,
as they are in other parts of the country."Then,"
he said, "the risk is minimized."
"I'm still opposed to it," said Patrick O'Neil, Chairman
of Somerset's Board of Selectmen. "I'm still of the impression
that it's not safe. It's too close to residences - it's that
simple. It's not allowed to be this close to residences in other
parts of the country." There are about 1,960 houses within
a mile of the site.
The report acknowledges community concern that an accident at
the facility "could exceed the current response capacity
of the Fall River Police and Fire Departments." But FERC
says that an emergency-response plan developed by the Fire Department
and Weaver's Cove officials should take care of that.
Lambert said the report shows that the federal government is
going to expect Fall River to cover costs of providing security
and protection for Weaver's Cove.
Opponents also fear that the passage of the tankers would force
the shutdown of the Braga and the Brightman Street bridges, delaying
emergency access to Fall River's two hospitals. Tankers cause
a 20-minute shutdown of the Tobin Bridge every time they go into
Boston Harbor, although the Coast Guard has said that may not
be necessary here.
Lambert, who agrees that the region could use more LNG, said
that if the executive summary is any indication, the federal
agency didn't take an evenhanded look at the pros and cons of
the proposal. "I think FERC is in the business of siting
these things," he said. "They're caretaker for an energy
system that needs new sources, so you try not to reject projects
and this summary reflects that." Lambert said the report
is misleading because it downplays the widespread opposition
to the project and makes it sound as if the city objects to the
Weaver's Cove project on the basis of land-use issues.
The report says "some city councilors" oppose the project.
In fact, opposition is overwhelming, "and they don't point
out that we oppose it on the basis of public safety," said
Lambert.
The FERC executive summary predicts - without offering details
- that the project will offer a net economic benefit to Fall
River. Apparently not considered were the impact of tanker trucks
traveling Route 79, and the detrimental effects on attracting
tourism and cruise ships, Lambert said. "I'd love to see
that analysis," he said.
Lambert also said the report seems to acknowledge - and then
largely dismiss - the danger of putting 2.5 million cubic yards
of hazardous dredged material on the site.
The report will be the subject of two public hearings next month.
The first will be Wednesday, Sept.8 at 7 PM at the Venus de Milo
restaurant on Route 6 in Swansea. The second will be Sept.. 9
at 7 PM in the Gaudet Middle School, 1113 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown,
R.I.
A smaller, additional LNG offloading facility is being planned
for Providence. Tankers servicing that LNG terminal would have
to pass under the Pell Bridge connecting Newport to Jamestown.
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