PA Environment Digest

Share this:

NRDC: U.S. Dept. Of Transportation Denies Special Permit For Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail From A Proposed Bradford County LNG Plant; Shipping By Truck Still Allowed

On April 25, the Natural Resources Defense Council said a Federal Register notice from the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the agency has denied Energy Transfer Partners a special permit to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail from Wyalusing, PA to Gibbstown, NJ across the river from Philadelphia.

While NRCS said this is a victory for halting the Gibbstown project, Energy Transport Solutions could still use a Trump-era rule to move forward with its project.

Kimberly Ong, Senior Attorney at NRDC said--

"The future of the Gibbstown liquefied natural gas terminal is looking bleaker by the day. The denial of the Energy Transfer Partners special permit is a huge victory for halting this planet-warming, water-polluting, community-endangering fossil fuel project.

“Now the DOT just needs to put the nail in the coffin and restore the ban on LNG by rail once and for all.

"Denial of the special permit is a necessary, but not sufficient, step to stop the construction of the Gibbstown LNG Terminal. Secretary Buttigieg must stand up for communities and the climate reinstating the ban on LNG by rail.

“Especially after the tragic disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, there is no excuse for Buttigieg to not suspend the federal LNG by rail rule immediately.”

Click Here for a copy of the NRDC announcement.

Other Reactions

“I am extremely grateful that the PHMSA special permit # 20534-R permitting massive rail transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) through the Lehigh Valley was denied on April 24, 2023. The initial permit approval was a flawed analysis on both an engineering and emergency response basis. This action is a step forward in protecting the lives of the citizens of Lehigh County and Northampton County from potential catastrophic and possibly deadly rail incidents as well as potentially creating an unsustainable disaster response scenario,” said Bob Elbich, Lehigh County PA Commissioner, Former cryogenic engineer, Former volunteer first responder.

“PHMSA’s denial of a continued Special Permit to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail from northcentral PA to South Jersey is a major win for the safety of almost 2 million people who live along the proposed rail route. This move protects the safety of hundreds of communities along the rail route, including many already overburdened by environmental racism, from the threat of catastrophic incidents from transporting dangerous LNG with rail cars that were not designed for that purpose,” said Joseph Minott, Executive Director and Chief Counsel, Clean Air Council

“It’s time for Energy Transport Solutions and New Fortress Energy to pack up and leave our watershed alone. The people have spoken and said no hazardous LNG on our River or through our communities. Now the federal government is lending its voice to say no hazardous LNG on our rail lines. New Jersey, the Delaware River Basin Commission and the Biden Administration now need to join the chorus and ‘just say no’ to LNG,” proclaimed Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.

“PHMSA heard the voices of the thousands who called for the special permit to be denied. The railroad tracks just miles from my home are safer tonight because of it. The number of people who can say the same is staggering. PHMSA did a good thing today, but now it needs to give us the full protection only an outright ban on LNG by rail can provide,” said Karen Feridun, Founder of Berks Gas Truth.

"We are relieved that the permit has been denied because the potential morbidity and mortality that could result from an LNG by rail project is an outrageous risk. In accordance with the precautionary principle, LNG by rail should be prohibited," said Tammy Murphy, LL.M., Advocacy Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania.

LNG By Truck

Shipping LNG natural gas by truck from the Wyalusing facility would still be allowed.

Groups opposing the transportation of LNG by rail and truck noted New Fortress Energy has said “they will move LNG by truck if they must and project that 300-400 trucks each day, 365 days per year, would be needed to get the LNG from Wyalusing to Gibbstown.

“That’s up to 800 LNG truck trips in and out, on top of all the other trucks going to the Gibbstown Logistics Center to store and export other cargoes such as propane, butane and other products.

“The increase in truck traffic is already opposed by municipalities and communities that would be in the path of these perpetual truck corridors.

“For instance, the resolutions passed by municipalities opposing LNG by rail are also opposed to the truck transport of LNG.

“Hundreds of communities, many with dense overburdened populations, would be impacted by the pollution, noise, and the unending threat of a traffic accident that would release LNG and potentially cause catastrophe with fire, bomb-like explosions, and suffocating vapor clouds.

“If the company plans to move LNG by tank truck, they will face an intense battle.”

NewsClips:

-- Fox News: Federal PHMSA Decides Not To Grant Permit For Transporting LNG Natural Gas From A Proposed Wyalusing, Bradford County Plant Via Railroad

-- The Guardian: US DOT Denies ‘Bomb Train’ Permit To Ship LNG Gas Through Populated Areas In Pennsylvania

-- WHYY: Controversial Plan To Ship LNG Natural Gas By Rail From Proposed Bradford County LNG Plant Hits Another Roadblock

Related Articles:

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Local Leaders, DOT Must Stop Plant In Wyalusing, Bradford County From Shipping LNG Natural Gas By Rail Or Truck Or Both To Philadelphia

-- Marcellus Drilling News: New Fortress Energy Reapplying For Wyalusing LNG Natural Gas Plant Permits In Bradford County

-- A Voluntary Settlement Of An EHB Appeal By All Parties Requires Developers Of A Bradford County Liquified Natural Gas Facility To Apply For New Air Quality Permit

PA Oil & Gas Public Notice Dashboards:

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - April 22 - 28; Conventional Wells Venting Gas; Shale Gas Well Pad Spills [PaEN]

-- Citizen Complaint Results In Finding 2 Abandoned Conventional Wells Owned By Prosperity Oil Co. Continuing To Vent Natural Gas In Washington County [PaEN]