STACK AND McGEEHAN DISTURBED BY NEW LNG RESEARCH

HARRISBURG, December 19, 2005 - State Sen. Michael Stack and Rep. Michael McGeehan believe that new research on the possible impact of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) spill has disturbing implications for the Philadelphia Gas Works proposed terminal in Port Richmond. “An expert for the California Public Utilities Commission believes that an LNG spill could burn or kill people up to 3 miles away,” said Stack (D-Philadelphia). “At a minimum, there are 13 schools, three recreation centers, three firehouses, three chemical companies, several daycare facilities, a major port, and a hospital within a 3-mile radius of the proposed Port Richmond terminal. “Traffic on Interstate 95 and the Betsy Ross Bridge would be endangered. Why are we even considering exposing so many lives and so much vital infrastructure in our city to the threat of an LNG spill or terrorist attack? There has to be a safer alternative for the people of Philadelphia.” "We don’t know if PGW has seriously explored alternatives to a Port Richmond terminal that would be safer and economically feasible,” said McGeehan. “By state law, they are mandated to provide proof that they've investigated every alternative to obtain lower cost gas supplies including how it is distributed. To date, they refuse to provide their cost analysis on how ratepayers will save money to the City Controller, the PUC, and most importantly, the public. “Something stinks here, and it’s not the smell of LNG,” added McGeehan. Federal and state regulators are currently battling over a proposed LNG terminal in Long Beach, Calif. The California Public Utilities Commission presented evidence that an LNG spill could ignite a fire that would endanger 130,000 people living and working within a 3-mile radius of the terminal. In conducting its own hazard analysis, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found that the burn zone from a blast would be limited to the terminal’s property. However, the federal agency is preventing California officials from viewing the entire report, saying that they must sign a non-disclosure agreement. ###

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