Blog: Solutions for America
Mitsubishi Should Not Lie About LNG in Long Beach
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Thursday's (4/29/04) California Section carried a
deceptive ad on LNG that seeks to lull Long Beach citizens into blind
acceptance of an LNG facility. Sound Energy Solutions
("SES"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation,
proposes to use a portion of Pier T within the Port of Long Beach (POLB),
California to construct and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import
terminal.
LNG is inherently dangerous and the prospective
owners of a facility in a populated area owe it to the citizens and
themselves to recognize the dangers.
It is scary for an LNG utility to ignore its risks
because they might not spend enough for the right hardware and
maintenance.
First LNG is methane, cooled to -259 degrees
Fahrenheit. If the LNG escaped it would immediately be heated by
air, which is 300 degrees hotter, and it would vaporize. The
methane vapor would increase 600 times in volume. It would mix
with air and become an explosive mixture.
Second, LNG must be kept in nickel-steel insulated
containers and pipes. The containers and pipes must be protected
from stray and intentional bullets.
It is as misleading to say LNG doesn't burn as
it is to say gasoline doesn't burn. Both need the oxygen in the
air to burn, and there's plenty of air around.
It is misleading to say LNG doesn't react with water.
LNG would be heated by water and expand rapidly and then mix with air
and become explosive.
LNG won't explode if it is kept in insulated
containers at -259 degrees. The question is, can Mitsubishi assure
Long Beach citizens that they can keep the LNG in the containers?
It is a lie to say natural gas is the only fuel that
is lighter than air. Hydrogen is lighter, ethane is lighter.
What do you think of Mitsubishi when they lie to you about simple facts.
Will they lie and cut corners when profits are at stake?
It is misleading to say LNG is in daily use in Long
Beach as fuel for delivery trucks. The trucks are powered by
compressed methane which is carried at a much smaller differential
temperature. (see http://www.afdc.doe.gov/documents/altfuelnews/2_6cover.html)
Mitsubishi should not lie to the public to get
permission to put an LNG facility in Long Beach.
Clifford Lazar
4/29/04
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