Philadelphia’s Philadelphia’s LNG ControversyLNG Controversy

Samantha LintonSamantha Linton

ES 333ES 333

December 6, 2005December 6, 2005

Liquefied Natural Liquefied Natural GasGas

Cooled to -260Cooled to -260ooF or -162F or -162ooCC Reduces natural gas volume by Reduces natural gas volume by

600 times; easier transport600 times; easier transport Flammable with air mixturesFlammable with air mixtures

Freedom Energy Freedom Energy CenterCenter

$600 million $600 million facility on 47 facility on 47 acresacres

Expansion of Expansion of existing tanksexisting tanks

Located in Port Located in Port Richmond on the Richmond on the Delaware RiverDelaware River

Key PlayersKey Players

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW)Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) Mayor John F. StreetMayor John F. Street Delaware River Pilots AssociationDelaware River Pilots Association Residents of Port Richmond and Residents of Port Richmond and

BridesburgBridesburg– State Senator Michael Stack (D., State Senator Michael Stack (D.,

Phila.) and State Representative Phila.) and State Representative Michael McGeehan (D., Phila.)Michael McGeehan (D., Phila.)

Local ConcernsLocal Concerns

Unwanted Land UseUnwanted Land Use Safety of Transportation, Terminal, PublicSafety of Transportation, Terminal, Public Industrialization of the WaterfrontIndustrialization of the Waterfront Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts

Transportation Transportation SafetySafety

Possible Possible Tankers traveling along the Tankers traveling along the

Delaware River will passDelaware River will pass– Under 6 BridgesUnder 6 Bridges– Through a Highly Industrialized ZoneThrough a Highly Industrialized Zone– Through 2 citiesThrough 2 cities

Public SafetyPublic Safety

More than 12,000 people live More than 12,000 people live within a mile of proposed terminalwithin a mile of proposed terminal

Potential fires could cause Potential fires could cause second-degree burns a mile awaysecond-degree burns a mile away

Area too populatedArea too populated

Industrialization and Industrialization and Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts 2 LNG projects under 2 LNG projects under

consideration on the Delawareconsideration on the Delaware Large volume of dangerous cargoLarge volume of dangerous cargo Increase in river trafficIncrease in river traffic

Terminal UpdatesTerminal Updates

As of October 26, 2005 FERC had As of October 26, 2005 FERC had not received a proposal from PGWnot received a proposal from PGW

The City Gas Commission is no The City Gas Commission is no longer investing money in PGWlonger investing money in PGW

A corporate partner has not A corporate partner has not committed to PGWcommitted to PGW

Public still opposedPublic still opposed