THE ISSUE

New England and the nation needs Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). WE DO NOT NEED TO DELIVER AND STORE IT IN HEAVILY POPULATED AREAS. LNG can be safely delivered and stored offshore, or in isolated areas. Canada is permitting the building of LNG terminals capable of supplying New England?s needs by pipeline.

THE CRISIS

NARRAGANSETT BAY IS UNDER SIEGE! Plans of Weaver?s Cove/Fall River and Keyspan/Providence will halt activity on the Bay 200 to 300 times a year. To deliver LNG to terminals in the center of Fall River & Providence, Coast Guard gunboats would clear ALL MARINE ACTIVITIES for up to 45 minutes in an area two miles ahead of the LNG vessel, one mile off its stern and 1,000 yards on both sides. Marinas, yacht clubs, pleasure and commercial boating, fishing and clamming between Newport and Providence & Fall River would be affected.

THE CONSEQUENCES

LNG vessels 1,000 feet long, 115 feet wide and 125 feet high would:

• close four bridges per passage, backing up all vehicular traffic for miles.
• disrupt the sensitive ecological system of Narragansett Bay.
• require environmentally harmful dredging in Mount Hope Bay.
• seriously impact the economies of Rhode Island and coastal Massachusetts by affecting tourism, recreation and marine commerce.

THE DANGER TO LIFE AND PROPERTY

LNG, if ignited, burns at 2000 degrees. It can cause thermal radiation burns, and level buildings within a half mile of the event. A serious leak of LNG vapor can result in suffocation. There have been at least 12 serious LNG accidents. Human error is the major concern. However, since Sept.11 a potential terrorist attack is an added threat. AN LNG ACCIDENT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE RISK FOR THE CITIZENS OF PROVIDENCE, FALL RIVER, AND OUR BAY COMMUNITIES.

THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS

The impact on property values near the proposed terminal sites is already severe. Investment in redevelopment along the Bay, from Newport to the terminals, would be affected. Towns bordering Narragansett and Mt. Hope Bays will face the major added costs of providing emergency standby police, fire, and other response personnel required by each trip of an LNG vessel, inbound and outbound.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

• Sign up for e-mail action alerts on www.RISafeEnergy.org
• Attend our demonstrations and rallies opposing LNG Terminal Expansion
• Write the editors of the Providence Journal and local papers
• Call or write Senators Reed and Chafee, Representatives Kennedy and Langevin
• Contribute to RI for Safe Energy

Rhode Island for Safe Energy (www.RISafe Energy.org)

Affiliated with Coalition for Responsible Siting of LNG Facilities, Fall River, MA

P.O. Box 1170, Bristol, RI 02809

401-253-6084

CAuster8@aol.com

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