Home
 

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.

back to top