The facts about the Weaver’s Cove LNG facility.

The proposed Liquefied Natural Gas facility at Weaver’s Cove is being presented as a project with few risks
and many benefits.  However, the facts show otherwise.  The statements in bold represent public positions
taken by Weaver’s Cove representatives.

LNG facilities have an excellent track record.
False.  Only a few months ago, on  January 19, 2004, the Skikda LNG plant on the Algerian coast blew up due
to a leaking LNG pipe, killing or burning over 100 persons.  Only the remote location of the facility prevented
higher casualties from the huge explosion.  Windows were broken in buildings six miles away.  Before the
Algerian blast, Weaver’s Cove officials said that it was virtually impossible for an LNG facility to explode; now,
we know that to be untrue.

LNG tanker ships are invulnerable because of their double hulls.
False.  In October, 2002, a new French double-hulled oil tanker, the “Limburg,” sailing off the coast of Yemen,
was rammed by a speedboat with explosives, penetrating 20 feet   into the cargo hold and setting the ship
afire.  All LNG tankers are as vulnerable to attack or accident as the “Limburg;” the only difference is that
consequences of piercing an LNG tanker can be catastrophic.

Because the terminal will be located in the North End of Fall River, only residents surrounding the
terminal will be affected by Weaver’s Cove facility.
False.  Because the ship channel in Fall River is close to the shoreline and residences, LNG tankers will be
traveling in close proximity to homes all along Mount Hope Bay and the Taunton River.  Professor James Fay of
MIT has said that anyone living within 2 miles of the terminal or one mile of the ship channel will be exposed to
radiation burns from an accident or attack on the terminal or one of the LNG ships that will be making weekly
trips to the Weaver’s Cove site.  South End and Somerset residents will be as exposed to danger from LNG
tankers as will be North End residents from the terminal.

The Weaver’s Cove facility is no different from the Bay Street gas tank.
False.  The Bay Street facility is a peak-shaving facility used to store gas for seasonal periods of peak
demand.  In addition, the Bay Street tank holds 7,100 cubic meters of LNG, while the Weaver’s Cove terminal
will hold 200,000, or 29 times the size of the Bay Street tank.  The Weaver’ Cove tank will be 185 feet high, or
50 feet higher than the road pavement at the highest point on the Braga Bridge!  While approximately 100
trucks serve the Bay Street tank a year, the Weaver’s Cove facility will generate up to 36,000 truck trips a year.


The threat from terrorism is exaggerated.
False.  Both the Department of Homeland Security and the Congressional Research Service have stated
unequivocally that the ease of attacking LNG ships and terminals---and the large fatalities that would result---
make them inviting targets for terrorism.  In addition, the recent blast in Algeria shows that LNG facilities are
vulnerable to equipment failure or human error.  

The Coast Guard and other public safety personnel will protect LNG ships from attack.
False.  The standing Coast Guard orders in the event of the breaching of an LNG ship from terrorist act or an
accident is to abandon the scene with speed, since there is nothing that can be done to stop the escape of the
gaseous liquid or to prevent it from spreading and igniting.  Fire Chief Edward Dawson has said publicly that---
because of the swiftness of the spread of LNG gasses and the intensity of the resulting fire---there is nothing
that fire personnel could possibly do to stop a conflagration in the city.

The Weaver’s Cove facility will have no impact on property values.
False.  There are already reports from realtors that properties near to the terminal are having a difficult time
selling.  If a terminal actually gets built---and especially if an incident occurs similar to the one in Algeria
recently---property values in Fall River and Somerset will plunge.  In addition, home insurance rates can be
expected to rise steeply.

The $3 million in taxes that Weaver’s Cove generates will be a boon to the City of Fall River.
False.  What Weaver’s Cove gives with one hand, it will be taking away with the other.   The additional tax
income generated by Weaver’s Cove will have to be spent on increasing fire and police personnel to deal with
the possibility of an event either at the terminal or to ships.  In addition, more City fire and police personnel will
be needed to guard LNG tanker ships that will be arriving in the city every week.  These additional personnel
will cost the City millions of dollars.

Weaver’s Cove will be a great job generator.
False.  Any new development that is built at the former Shell Oil site will generate construction and permanent
jobs.  Weaver’s Cove will generate only 40 jobs, less than one job per acre.  In addition, Weaver’s Cove will
threaten other jobs in the city because existing and new employers will not want to locate here.  The impact on
the city’s economy from Weaver’s Cove will be overwhelmingly negative.  


For more information, contact the web site of the Coalition for the Responsible Siting of LNG Facilities at www.
nolng.org.  To request lawn signs, please call (508) 646-3616 and leave your name and address.  We can also
be reached at nolng1@yahoo.com.