Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Assessing the risks related to the project
assessment wasn’t sufficiently conservative, and that the site chosen was
inappropriate (Coalition Rabat-joie, DM606).
Moreover, the Stabilis firm was mandated by the advisory committee of the
Municipality of Beaumont in 2004 to model a major accident in an LNG storage tank,
specify the consequences of a major pipeline rupture, and illustrate the consequences
of a major accident with an LNG tanker. In light of the document submitted, the Panel
noted, among other things, that the models performed by the firm took into account
different parameters than those used in the proponent’s risk assessment.
Lastly, industry representatives noted, once again, the major differences between the
conclusions of such studies on the separation distances required to ensure public
security from thermal radiation. As such, the AES Sparrow Point LNG project
workgroup (Baltimore) pointed out the fact that the distance which corresponds to a
radiation intensity of 5 kW/m 2 had been assessed respectively at 1,617 feet (493 m)
(Quest), 1,650 feet (503 m) (Lehr), 3,630 feet (1,106 m) (Fay, March 2003 report),
and 4,257 feet (1,298 m) (Koopman, Vallejo project 1 ).
♦ Finding — The Panel notes the divergence of views among expert opinions submitted
at the hearing and the risk analyses results of the proponent. It also found that the
criteria upon which these analyses were based were different.
Facility safety and the terrorist threat
During the hearings, several participants expressed concerns regarding the
vulnerability of the proposed facilities with respect to possible terrorist attacks, and
other deliberate acts of sabotage.
However, deliberate acts against LNG tankers and terminals which could have
impacts on the security and the environment are governed in Canada, inter alia, by
the Marine Transportation Security Act (S.C. 1994, c. 40) and the Marine
Transportation Security Regulations [SOR/2004-144]. Under these regulations, an
LNG tanker and terminal must have an approved safety plan.
In this respect, the proponent submitted a preliminary portuary security plan to
Transport Canada, which concluded that the contents of this plan complied with the
outline of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations. However, Transport
Canada underscored the fact that the official approval of the safety plan will be based
1. Baltimore County Liquefied Natural Gas, Task Force, AES Sparrows Point LNG Mid-Atlantic Express, Project
Presentation, September 5, 2006.
Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure 165