CA Energy Commission: LNG is Safe

Confirming what advocates for liquefied natural gas have said all along, the California Energy Commission has declared LNG to be safe:

According to the report, equipment and procedures -- as well as potential safety risks -- are constantly being evaluated and updated. In fact, the safety of LNG ports is enhanced by nearly 100 local, state and federal safety and environmental agencies -- including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation, and a host of local governments, all of which have rigorous and exacting standards.

And there's more. Since Sept. 11, 2001, ``recently developed maritime security laws and regulations now join the many rules, regulations, and guidelines put forth by the International Maritime Organization, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard and ship-classification societies to regulate LNG shipping facilities,'' the report states.

The report provides more than just knowledge about the regulatory oversight of liquefied natural gas facilities: It is a scrupulously documented resource that presents all the facts about LNG's safety. Great attention is given to every single facet of the design, construction and operation of LNG carriers and import terminals. As a result, Californians can now be confident that hosting LNG facilities is the safest and cleanest way to meet our energy needs and environmental goals.

The report also shows that we can meet the state's energy needs without compromising public health, security or, most important, safety. And while the compendium explores only the physical safety and security of facilities, in fact many Californians' job and economic security is also tied to the future of LNG.