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