To: Delta Optimist , Chief Bryce Williams , Honourable Carla Qualtrough , Vicki Huntington MLA , Doug Stout , Mayor Lois Jackson , Honourable Mary Polak , Enviroinfo [NCR] , Catherine McKenna Minister of Environment and Climate Change , Honourable Marc Garneau – Minister of Transport , Honourable Justin Trudeau
CC: Mayor and Councillors of Delta
Editor: Delta Optimist et al,
Below you will find my response to Doug Stout’s letter “LNG cannot contaminate water or soil”, on 4 December.
Yours safely,
Jim Ronback
System Safety Engineer (retired)
1530 Kirkwood Road
Tsawwassen, BC
V4L 1G1
604 948 1589
=================
6 December, 2015
To: Editor Delta-Optimist et al,
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister
Chief Bryce Williams, Tsawwassen First Nation,
Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, MP, Privy Council,
Marc Garneau – Minister of Transport
Catherine McKenna – Minister of environment and Climate Change
Vicki Huntington, MLA
Mary Polak, MLA, Minister of Environment
Mayor Lois Jackson and Delta Council
Subject: Safety and Security of hazardous LNG transportation and processing near residential areas in Delta
Re: “LNG can’t contaminate water or soil” by Doug Stout, VP Market Development, FortisBC, 4 December.
Doug Stout in his letter to the Editor conveniently ignores the safety and security aspects of the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via super tankers and the storage and refrigeration facilities and the huge amount of energy from the Site C dam (13, 14) required to convert methane (natural gas) to a liquid after it is delivered via a pipeline.
Living close to this proposed LNG facility will be more hazardous than living next to a nuclear power station.
One only needs to google the following string of key words (without quotes) “safety security hazard transport LNG” to find ominous reports on the multiple hazards of processing and transporting LNG. The amount of energy stored in these facilities and tankers is enormous. It’s equivalent to several Hiroshima atomic bombs. The most serious hazard it a fuel vapour air explosion (1) that can be devastating. Although this may be a rare high consequence and possibly a terrorist event (21), Tsawwassen First Nation community could be wiped off the map and its mall and thousands of homes would be destroyed by the powerful blast wave and intense heat radiation (14).
Most tankers have only a single engine which is a single point of failure that can result in loss of propulsion and steering leaving the ship floundering as a dangerous hazard to navigation (9). The worldwide tanker fleet of 10,000+ is experiencing at least two full losses of power or steering per day, and probably more than ten. If this fleet were twin screw, properly implemented, this number would be cut by a factor of one thousand (10, 11).
Between 1944 and 2006 there were 52 major incidents (5, 6) in which 177 people died (6). I invite your readers to view the YouTube presentation by Eoin Finn on the “Impacts on Howe Sound from the LNG Industry.”(8). If the Algerian gas plant that was attacked by militants in 2013 had exploded in 2013, “it would have killed and destroyed anything within 5 kilometers or further.”. (12).
The provincial and federal governments do not have any guidelines or regulations for locating hazardous industries away from residential areas. Without this type of guidance (2, 4) the Fraser River Delta is becoming another clogged Amsterdam like industrial harbor impacting all the nearby residents and its fragile environment (20).
LNG terminals can pose significant risks and impacts to coastal regions and communities. It is critical that provincial governments, local agencies and public stakeholders participate and inform themselves in every step of the LNG port licensing process (7). The Tsawwassen First Nation’s LNG project will be subject mainly to federal environmental review process which may be delegated to Port Metro Vancouver and harmonized with the BC Environmental Assessment Office. This is like the fox (PMV) guarding the hen house. LNG projects must be approved by many federal and provincial agencies, thus, there are many opportunities for public input. An informed public will foster equally informed decision making (18).
How will our dedicated politicians ensure that this will happen?
Our safety and security (3) are much too important to be left to corporations and politicians alone. We have a right to be properly informed and adequately consulted with respect to all the hazards and cumulative risks of this proposed project (15) before an informed decision can be made.
The Tsawwassen First Nation must protect their ancestral lands for their grandchildren instead of embarking on such hazardous projects near their homes. Some risks to public safety cannot be mitigated to an acceptable level. (16, 17)
Yours safely,
Jim Ronback, B.A.Sc.
System Safety Engineer (retired)
1530 Kirkwood Road,
Tsawwassen, BC, V4L 1G1
604 948 1589
References:
1) BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) Demonstration – How it Happens Training Video
Appendix C3 C3-1 Chronological List of LNG Accidents, C3-2 Marine Safety and Security Requirements, C3-3 Design and Safety Standards Applicable to Natural Gas Projects
9) “Worldwide we are experiencing over 5000 total loss of power casualties per year.”
2008 Tanker Loss of Power Casualties, Jack Devanney,
www.c4tx.org
10) The current large (over 10,000 tonne deadweight) worldwide tanker fleet is experiencing at least two full losses of power or steering per day, and probably more than ten. If this fleet were twin screw, properly implemented, this number would be cut by a factor of one thousand.” [The Argument for Twin Screw Tankers, Jack Devanney, Center for Tankship Excellence, USA, [email protected] , September 20-21, 2007
11) “Twin Screw and more power redundancy would additionally help to drastically improve low speed maneuverability and the pilot’s ability to correct a mistake” p. 118
Second International Workshop on Risk-Based Approaches in the Maritime Industry, 5-8 May 2008
Thank you for your updates on Federal Environmental Review deficits for LNG. In addition to the concerns you expressed, there is room for demanding complete financial transparency on the anticipated earnings of the principal beneficiary in Singapore, under the existing Canada-Singapore Tax treaty concurrent with Singapore’s ongoing 10 year tax holiday for new LNG projects. Woodfibre LNG in Canada will easily operate at a net tax free loss.
There exists a need to “open the books” so that those who live in and around Howe Sound can fully examine the size of the principal beneficiary’ s anticipated tax free offshore income , versus the value of the benefits offered in return at Howe Sound’s delicate risk.
The new Federal government remains the last line of defense after the apparent provincial government give-away of Northern BC (for fracking) the aquifers between Northern BC and Squamish (for pipelines), and Howe Sound environmental sovereignty itself….for the offshore enrichment of Mr. Sukanto Tanoto.
Please use the ‘Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’ web site, a division of the United States Department of Transportation, to search for pipeline company’s ‘Violations’. For example, in the search engine for Spectra Energy Violations, I came up with 59 violations that Spectra Energy has been cited for.
The .gov link you sent us to, is very user unfriendly from an iPhone 5s. Is it by design? As most young people use smartphones. We need to make our gov work the way it’s constituents choose to work not the other way around.
so so sorry I am away BUT I am absolutely in support..no pipeleines, no tankers, no LNG, no fracking and yes to alternate, non /fossil energy…please put me high on your list as an involved supporter! susan
Hi there I am a resident of Squamish and am becoming increasingly concerned with the industrial development happening in our community.
I seems like we are not heard and construction and test drilling in the estuary are going forward with little public awareness. I want to help to change that. I spend a lot of time in the waters of the squamish river and estuary and am seeing more oil on the water than ever before, as well as stumbling across unmarked construction sites in the area. I have a lot of questions about who is doing what, and if we are being told any truths. I am willing to help in any way I can to protect our home.
David Suzuki Foundation for Camp Suzuki : Howe Sound, happening this August on Gambier Island. We are seeking placements for the campers aged 18 – 30 to engage with their local community and share their passion for conservation. If you would like to offer volunteers to join you part time from September to February this year, please contact me and I will connect you with the project lead for further questions. For information about Howe Sound Camp Suzuki, please visit the site below. All camp registrations are confirmed for a full attendance with an incredible learning program.
re:
PARTTWO: VOLUNTEER
After camp, participants apply their newfound skills and knowledge through a six-month, part-time placement with a local community organization that works for the betterment of Howe Sound.
I am very disappointed in the timing you chose for the Save Our Sound day and the flotilla up Howe Sound. For an awful lot of boaters, your timing is poor, ….. a large percentage (like myself) are away on vacation or up the coast for the summer. In future, if you want boats in your flotilla, plan your event for June or September, before or after cruising season, not right in it.
I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you guys do putting this website together and getting the info out there for us concerned residents. It has been very helpful to help form my list of questions and concerns for the BCEAO.
Great job!
Kevin Sieders
Tracey Saxby followed this page
2015-03-19 16:51:50 -0700
Showing 77 reactions
-——- Forwarded Message-——-Subject: Safety and Security of Hazardous LNG
Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2015 18:55:14 -0800
From: James Ronback
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: Delta Optimist , Chief Bryce Williams , Honourable Carla Qualtrough , Vicki Huntington MLA , Doug Stout , Mayor Lois Jackson , Honourable Mary Polak , Enviroinfo [NCR] , Catherine McKenna Minister of Environment and Climate Change , Honourable Marc Garneau – Minister of Transport , Honourable Justin Trudeau
CC: Mayor and Councillors of Delta
Editor: Delta Optimist et al,
Below you will find my response to Doug Stout’s letter “LNG cannot contaminate water or soil”, on 4 December.
Yours safely,
Jim Ronback
System Safety Engineer (retired)
1530 Kirkwood Road
Tsawwassen, BC
V4L 1G1
604 948 1589
=================
6 December, 2015
To: Editor Delta-Optimist et al,
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister
Chief Bryce Williams, Tsawwassen First Nation,
Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, MP, Privy Council,
Marc Garneau – Minister of Transport
Catherine McKenna – Minister of environment and Climate Change
Vicki Huntington, MLA
Mary Polak, MLA, Minister of Environment
Mayor Lois Jackson and Delta Council
Subject: Safety and Security of hazardous LNG transportation and processing near residential areas in Delta
Re: “LNG can’t contaminate water or soil” by Doug Stout, VP Market Development, FortisBC, 4 December.
Doug Stout in his letter to the Editor conveniently ignores the safety and security aspects of the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via super tankers and the storage and refrigeration facilities and the huge amount of energy from the Site C dam (13, 14) required to convert methane (natural gas) to a liquid after it is delivered via a pipeline.
Living close to this proposed LNG facility will be more hazardous than living next to a nuclear power station.
One only needs to google the following string of key words (without quotes) “safety security hazard transport LNG” to find ominous reports on the multiple hazards of processing and transporting LNG. The amount of energy stored in these facilities and tankers is enormous. It’s equivalent to several Hiroshima atomic bombs. The most serious hazard it a fuel vapour air explosion (1) that can be devastating. Although this may be a rare high consequence and possibly a terrorist event (21), Tsawwassen First Nation community could be wiped off the map and its mall and thousands of homes would be destroyed by the powerful blast wave and intense heat radiation (14).
Most tankers have only a single engine which is a single point of failure that can result in loss of propulsion and steering leaving the ship floundering as a dangerous hazard to navigation (9). The worldwide tanker fleet of 10,000+ is experiencing at least two full losses of power or steering per day, and probably more than ten. If this fleet were twin screw, properly implemented, this number would be cut by a factor of one thousand (10, 11).
Between 1944 and 2006 there were 52 major incidents (5, 6) in which 177 people died (6). I invite your readers to view the YouTube presentation by Eoin Finn on the “Impacts on Howe Sound from the LNG Industry.”(8). If the Algerian gas plant that was attacked by militants in 2013 had exploded in 2013, “it would have killed and destroyed anything within 5 kilometers or further.”. (12).
The provincial and federal governments do not have any guidelines or regulations for locating hazardous industries away from residential areas. Without this type of guidance (2, 4) the Fraser River Delta is becoming another clogged Amsterdam like industrial harbor impacting all the nearby residents and its fragile environment (20).
LNG terminals can pose significant risks and impacts to coastal regions and communities. It is critical that provincial governments, local agencies and public stakeholders participate and inform themselves in every step of the LNG port licensing process (7). The Tsawwassen First Nation’s LNG project will be subject mainly to federal environmental review process which may be delegated to Port Metro Vancouver and harmonized with the BC Environmental Assessment Office. This is like the fox (PMV) guarding the hen house. LNG projects must be approved by many federal and provincial agencies, thus, there are many opportunities for public input. An informed public will foster equally informed decision making (18).
How will our dedicated politicians ensure that this will happen?
Our safety and security (3) are much too important to be left to corporations and politicians alone. We have a right to be properly informed and adequately consulted with respect to all the hazards and cumulative risks of this proposed project (15) before an informed decision can be made.
The Tsawwassen First Nation must protect their ancestral lands for their grandchildren instead of embarking on such hazardous projects near their homes. Some risks to public safety cannot be mitigated to an acceptable level. (16, 17)
Yours safely,
Jim Ronback, B.A.Sc.
System Safety Engineer (retired)
1530 Kirkwood Road,
Tsawwassen, BC, V4L 1G1
604 948 1589
References:
1) BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) Demonstration – How it Happens Training Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM0jtD_OWLU
2) Guidance on Risk Analysis and Safety Implications of a Large Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Spill Over Water SANDIA REPORT, SAND2004-6258, December 2004 http://a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/epic/documents/p408/d39016/1431636036655_nqp0VJNhPCWh3DJCkhWMs6Vc4tQshQPxg2VT3ksKfsp7h4y2nJL1
3) LNG Safety and Security
Center for Energy Economics, November 2006
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/energyecon/lng/documents/CEE_LNG_Safety_and_Security.pdf
4) 4.2 PUBLIC SAFETY: HAZARDS AND RISK ANALYSIS
http://citizensagainstlng.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cabrillo-Port-Rev-Draft-EIR_4.2_Hazard-and-Risk-Analysis_2006.pdf
5) CABRILLO PORT LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS DEEPWATER PORT FINAL EIS/EIR, March 2007
http://cdm16254.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p178601ccp2/id/906
6) Cabrillo Port EIR,
Appendix C3 C3-1 Chronological List of LNG Accidents, C3-2 Marine Safety and Security Requirements, C3-3 Design and Safety Standards Applicable to Natural Gas Projects
http://citizensagainstlng.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Cabrillo-Port-EIR-Appendix-C3_List-of-LNG-Accidents.pdf
7) States Can Affect Federal Deepwater Port LNG Licensing Decisions:
A Case Study Involving the Deepwater Port Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act,
Linda Krop, 10-Oct-2011
http://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=gguelj
8) Eoin Finn speaks about Impacts on Howe Sound from the LNG Industry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2eGgISPsZo
9) “Worldwide we are experiencing over 5000 total loss of power casualties per year.”
2008 Tanker Loss of Power Casualties, Jack Devanney,
www.c4tx.org
10) The current large (over 10,000 tonne deadweight) worldwide tanker fleet is experiencing at least two full losses of power or steering per day, and probably more than ten. If this fleet were twin screw, properly implemented, this number would be cut by a factor of one thousand.” [The Argument for Twin Screw Tankers, Jack Devanney, Center for Tankship Excellence, USA, [email protected] , September 20-21, 2007
http://www.martrans.org:8093/symposium/papers/Track%20A/A11%20devanney.pdf].
11) “Twin Screw and more power redundancy would additionally help to drastically improve low speed maneuverability and the pilot’s ability to correct a mistake” p. 118
Second International Workshop on Risk-Based Approaches in the Maritime Industry, 5-8 May 2008
http://www.safedor.org/resources/SAFEDOR-P-2009-02-19_Workshop_Risk_Based_Approaches-rev-1.pdf
http://www.safedor.org/resources/SAFEDOR-P-2009-04-27_Final-Conference-Proceedings-rev-1.pdf
12) At least 37 hostages killed in Algeria gas plant standoff, prime minister says.
By Amir Ahmed, CNN, January 23, 2013
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/21/world/africa/algeria-hostage-crisis/
13) Is the Site C dam’s electricity destined for LNG Industry?
Volume: 32 Issue: 4, 2014
By Judith Lavoie Writer, DeSmog Canada
http://www.ammsa.com/publications/windspeaker/site-c-dam%E2%80%99s-electricity-destined-lng-industry#sthash.9bRfrQCT.dpuf
14) LNG and Site C aligned for perfect storm
By Keith Baldrey, Global News, July 31, 2015
http://globalnews.ca/news/2142803/baldrey-lng-and-site-c-aligned-for-perfect-storm/
15) Tsawwassen First Nation LNG
Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia, Lower Mainland
Accessed: 6 Dec 2015
http://www.cosbc.ca/index.php/about-shipping/new-projects/itemlist/category/21-lower-mainland
16) Acceptable Risk
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/iwachap10.pdf
17) Risk Acceptance Criteria or “How Safe Is Safe Enough”
http://www.questconsult.com/resources/papers/pdf/paper48.pdf
18) LNG on the Fraser: what should be in the EA?
http://reallnghearings.org/
19) LNG Dangers and Possible Disasters
http://www.quoddyloop.com/savepassamaquoddybay/documents/newspaper_inserts/insert-7.pdf
http://www.savepassamaquoddybay.org/
20) Canaport pleads guilty to killing 7,500 birds that flew into burning flare at gas facility
November 5, 2015
http://globalnews.ca/news/2321062/canaport-pleads-guilty-to-killing-7500-birds-that-flew-into-burning-flare-at-gas-facility/
21) Are natural gas ships “boat bombs” for terror?
2/16/2004
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4276348/ns/us_news-security/t/are-natural-gas-ships-boat-bombs-terror/#.VmTtXnarSM8
There exists a need to “open the books” so that those who live in and around Howe Sound can fully examine the size of the principal beneficiary’ s anticipated tax free offshore income , versus the value of the benefits offered in return at Howe Sound’s delicate risk.
The new Federal government remains the last line of defense after the apparent provincial government give-away of Northern BC (for fracking) the aquifers between Northern BC and Squamish (for pipelines), and Howe Sound environmental sovereignty itself….for the offshore enrichment of Mr. Sukanto Tanoto.
I might be interested in the workshop but where and when?
I seems like we are not heard and construction and test drilling in the estuary are going forward with little public awareness. I want to help to change that. I spend a lot of time in the waters of the squamish river and estuary and am seeing more oil on the water than ever before, as well as stumbling across unmarked construction sites in the area. I have a lot of questions about who is doing what, and if we are being told any truths. I am willing to help in any way I can to protect our home.
re:
PART TWO: VOLUNTEER
After camp, participants apply their newfound skills and knowledge through a six-month, part-time placement with a local community organization that works for the betterment of Howe Sound.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/wildlife-habitat/projects/natural-capital/camp-suzuki-howe-sound/
For climate justice,
Larry Wartels
-————————————————-Metropolitan Vancouver Alliance’s Deborah Littman:
www.metvanalliance.org/about
http://www.metvanalliance.org/member_institutions
Vancouver District Labour Council’s President Joey Hartman:
604-254-0703, [email protected]
vdlc.ca/contact-us/
Just transition to protect jobs and the environment
http://lpa.igc.org/documents/program.html#Build%20A%20Just%20Transition
“Fear at work: Job blackmail, labor, and the environment”
http://www.thenation.com/article/unions-and-environmentalists-get-it-together/
Jim Ronback
Risk of a collision-related oil spill on the Gulf of Finland could up to q uadruple in the future, May 04, 2015
http://phys.org/news/2015-05-collision-related-oil-gulf-finland-quadruple.html
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es501777g
I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you guys do putting this website together and getting the info out there for us concerned residents. It has been very helpful to help form my list of questions and concerns for the BCEAO.
Great job!
Kevin Sieders
Particularly interesting …. chapters 10,11 and 12
LNG Risk Based Safety – Modeling and … – Oil & Gas
https://oilgas.flemingeurope.com/…/LNG%20Risk%20Based%20Safety%20…
by JL Woodward – Cited by 1 – Related articles
LNG risk based safety : modeling and consequence analysis / John L Woodward, Robin Pitblado. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 978-0-470-31764-8 (cloth). 1.
business.financialpost.com/2014/04/07/blast-at-u-s-lng-site-casts-spotlight-on-natural-gas-safety/?__lsa=4630-32cc