Liquefied Natural Gas

THE RULE REQUIRING SPECIAL PERMITS TO TRANSPORT LNG ON TRAINS EXPIRED LAST YEAR, making it easier than ever to move it through heavily-populated areas such as Southern Florida.

Although LNG has lower emissions and costs compared to other fuel sources, a potential LNG explosion could "literally level several blocks-even a whole town." Lac Megantic, Canada, experienced a rail disaster in 2013, where 47 people died and 20 buildings were destroyed.

CONGRESS MEMBER BRIAN HIGGINS SENDS LETTER TO HOWARD ELLIOT OF THE U.S. DOT PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, requesting a 30-day extension of the comment period to the DOT's Draft Final Permit DOT-SP 20534. This special permit proposes to authorize the transportation of liquified natural gas (LNG) by rail tank car.

WHILE THE FLORIDA EAST RAILWAY (FEC) EXECUTIVES PUSHED FLORIDA'S EAST COAST CITIES AND COUNTIES TO APPROVE OF BRIGHTLINE'S HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER TRAIN, they also quietly obtained permission to haul extremely flammable liquified natural gas along those same tracks.

Liquified natural gas (LNG) is a natural gas which is kept chilled and stable. When warmed, it can make natural gas to generate electricity. However, if a spill or puncture of a container during a train derailment would be deadly. When exposed to the air, LNG can "burst into flames."

FOUR TRAIN CARS CARRYING MOLTEN SULFUR DERAILED EARLY MONDAY NEAR LAKELAND, FLORIDA. Local residents have been warned to stay indoors and close their windows as several cars are believed to have leaked. CSX says no injuries have been reported, and the cause of the derailment is under investigation.

CSX Spokesman Rob Doolittle describes molten sulfur as "a hazardous material used in making rubber, detergent and fertilizers."

THE FLORIDA EAST COAST RAIL CORRIDOR WILL SHARE ITS HIGHLY POPULATED, CONGESTED ROUTE WITH 300 AT-GRADE CROSSINGS WITH ALL ABOARD FLORIDA'S (AAF) 110 MPH PASSENGER TRAIN WITH LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG), according to documents obtained by Martin and Indian River Counties and Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida (CARE FL).

ALL RESIDENTS OF SMALL TOWN HYNDMAN, PENNSYLVANIA WERE EVACUATED AFTER A CSX FREIGHT TRAIN CARRYING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PARTLY DERAILED. The train derailed early Wednesday morning about 100 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

This train, which was travelling from Chicago to Selkirk, New York, had five locomotives and 178 rail cars in total. At least 32 cars - a few carrying hazardous materials such as liquefied petroleum gas and molten sulfur - have leaked and are on fire. One car reported crashed into a home and started a fire in the garage.

ON APRIL 12, THE TREASURE COAST FIRE CHIEFS' ASSOCIATION (TCFCA) SENT A LETTER TO GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT regarding emergency service and LNG (liquified natural gas) concerns, and services to prepare them for what is coming.

Train Wreck Times by Susan Mehiel

Sharon Kelly and Steve Horn - Desmog

For the first time ever, liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been shipped by railroad in the U.S., prompting concerns about risks of accidents and a lack of state or federal regulation for the new and hazardous cargo.