The Boston Herald, 11/8/03
Copyright 2003

By JAY FITZGERALD

Mayor Thomas M. Menino yesterday demanded a ban of giant tanker ships bearing liquefied natural gas in Boston Harbor, saying that federal and industry officials were playing "Russian roulette" with the city's safety.

Menino renewed his call to bar the ships after the Herald reported that a study by federal scientists says an LNG shipping accident in a harbor could be catastrophic.

Menino said the report by U.S. government scientists, though still in its preliminary stages, confirms an earlier study commissioned by the city. That study, by ICF Consulting Services LLC and EHC Management Practice, predicted the same dire conseqences could result from an LNG tanker attack.

Menino said Boston simply isn't prepared to handle a major LNG blaze or the searing shock wave from such a fire that both reports say could slam into the city.

"Are we ready?" Menino asked. "We've made some gains (since the 9-11 terrorist attacks), but we're not there yet."

Menino maintains that LNG should be shipped by truck to Everett or transferred offshore. He said Boston needs more fire equipment to protect public safety.

The city's commissioned report was sent last summer to the U.S. Coast Guard and the owners of the Everett LNG storage facility.

But the mayor said he hasn't heard back from them since. "We are very concerned," he said.

Yet Brian Salerno, the U.S. Coast Guard captain responsible for the port of Boston and its safety, said his agency has been in close contact with the city. The Coast Guard, which allowed resumption of LNG shipments through the harbor after 9-11, recently held a drill with city officials, simulating a potential LNG fire, he said.

Julie Vitek, a spokeswoman for Distrigas of Massachusetts, a Suez SA unit that owns the Everett LNG storage operation, said her company got the ICF report and has been in constant contact with the city.

The study cited yesterday by the Herald, conducted by two scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as part of their research duties, reflects their views and not NOAA's official position, said an agency spokesman. But the spokesman said the scientists' findings looked like an "accurate analysis as far as I can tell."

Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Malden) faulted the Bush administration for relying on a "faulty study to reassure the people of Everett" and Boston about the safety of LNG shipments.

LOAD-DATE: November 08, 2003