Hazardous Materials: Suspension of HMR Amendments Authorizing Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas by Rail

I am writing representing the views and concerns of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, Florida's Natural Resources Action Group concerning the Biden Administration's recently proposed rule to suspend the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG) via rail (PHMSA-2021-0058 (HM-264A) / RIN 2137-AF55). As Florida residents, we are intimately familiar with the intensifying effects of climate change and consequently we strongly support the rapid transition from fossil fuels – including fracked gas – to clean and renewable energy which is abundantly accessible through Florida's sunshine, waves and wind. While the proposed rule is an important step in the interests of public safety, it does not go far enough because of the special authorization to continue to the highly dangerous rail transport of LNG in Florida. Florida is uniquely vulnerable to extreme weather events and coastal flooding. Cities including Tampa and Miami are anticipating multiple inches of sea level rise in the next decade, even according to the most conservative modeling estimates. Investing in LNG plants and relying on Florida's rail infrastructure is unwise and compounds climate change. As reported by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in a December 2020 report entitled "Sailing to Nowhere," LNG is not the effective climate change strategy that some vested interests would have us believe because it does not necessarily decrease greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, LNG exports are driving U.S. emissions and making it harder for us to reach our climate targets. LNG extraction and production release methane gas which is eighty-six times more potent at trapping heat than CO2 in its first twenty years in the atmosphere. This report also demonstrates the high social costs of LNG. The continued production of LNG at plants in Jacksonville and Miami increases Florida's vulnerability; and the transportation of LNG in heavily populated coastal areas is a danger to residents and to the environment. According to a June 2021 Washington Post article, federal regulators seem to be ignoring the warnings of experts about the risks of explosions at LNG plants and underestimating the destructive force of an accidental vapor cloud that can be devastating and release volatile, easily-ignitable refrigerants into the air. An accident can result in the release of a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion producing a possible fireball up to a mile wide with associated lethal effects. LNG transport trains will use the same track as passenger trains increasing the risks in the case of an accident. We strongly urge the Biden Administration to go further - in the interests of public safety and climate - by permanently banning all rail transport of LNG as well as revoking the special authorization in Florida to transport LNG along the Florida East Coast Railway. Caryle Cammisa, on behalf of the Natural Resources Action Group of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, Florida.

Concerns clarified from the League of Women Voters Hillsborough County Florida Healthcare Action Group. Letter is attached.