Photo: Oklahoma Minerals
Natural gas has gained interest over the last few decades for its reduced carbon footprint. Yes, greenhouse gases are emitted as a result of the use of natural gas. Although, the amount of carbon footprint in total is reduced -- which is a savings no matter which way the problem is viewed.
The year was 2015 in Porter Ranch, California, North San Fernando Valley. The location was a natural gas storage facility owned and operated by SoCal Gas (a subsidiary of Semper Energy). Over the course of a few months, after the casing on a Well (SS-215) failed, an unprecedented blowout occurred with methane being spewed into the atmosphere along with other unknown chemicals.
Residents of Porter Ranch have been waiting for five years for a proper health study to occur. The aerosolized chemicals spewed out which landed on their community (and mine) have an unknown composition. That is, the public is unaware of the composition.
Note: Full Disclosure - I sit on the Community Advisory Group for the Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Research Study being conducted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
LA DPH website: click here
Community Advisory Group website: click here
As the health study shapes into a 'Request For Proposal' to be sent out to scientists across the United States to propose research studies, the news hits that Senator Joe Manchin is eagerly awaiting the opening of another gas storage facility?
How is this possible without the dangers studied at Aliso Canyon?
Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia makes the case for the construction of a new natural gas storage facility on the East Coast in the following letter:
The Honorable Dan Brouillette
Secretary
Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20585
Dear Secretary Brouillette:
I write to respectfully request an update on the Department of Energy’s plans to fulfill a provision of the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020) Appropriations bill (P.L. 116-94) to report on the economic and security benefits of an underground storage facility for natural gas liquids (NGLs) in Appalachia.
We have spoken before about the proposed underground storage facility for NGLs, including ethane, also known as the “Appalachian Storage Hub,” and how it has the potential to be a gamechanger for not just the Appalachian region, but the nation. The DOE had previously studied the feasibility of establishing an ethane storage and distribution hub in the United States and found that it would have economic and strategic benefits, particularly given the current concentration of infrastructure in the Gulf Coast. This is in addition the potential to create 100,000 much needed jobs in Appalachia, according to the American Chemistry Council.
I believe it’s similarly important as we move forward with this critical project that the Department study the economic security and national security benefits of geographical diversification of this infrastructure by siting this Hub in Appalachia. These benefits can be maximized through partnerships with domestic businesses and international partners that have America’s best interests at heart.
This report was called for in the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Report (116-102) on the FY 2020 Energy and Water bill, S.2470 (pg. 107), which encourages the Department, in consultation with the Departments of Defense and Treasury, to issue a report which would identify the potential benefits of a storage and distribution hub to national security, including the identification of potential risks to national and economic security of significant foreign ownership and control of United States domestic petrochemical resources. I respectfully ask for an update on how the report is progressing and when your team plans to complete this critical report.
I appreciate the assistance that your staff have provided to mine and thank you for your attention and distinguished leadership on this critically important process.
With warmest regards,
Without going into detail over the controversy here in California, the opening of a new facility seems premature. I suggest those readers interested should read up on our meeting results and the progress of the study. There is even a possibility to input information/inquiry into the direction of the health study. What concerns do you have? Do you live near a natural gas storage facility?
At least wait for the results of a health study. Especially, given that the new facility stands to put more Americans in harm's way. Stay tuned for more results.
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