3.10.2 Siting Requirements 



Major siting requirements for LNG regasification plant sites include 

 the availability of a large tract of level land, and access to a marine 

 terminal with a deepwater channel or pipelines for import and export of 

 products. 



Because of the high costs of pipeline construction, the large water 

 demand, and the need to keep LNG below its low boiling temperature, 

 regasification and liquefaction plants are normally sited as near the 

 waterfront as possible. The regasification plant also needs to be near 

 a commercial gas transmission line. However, LNG plants may be located 

 as far as two miles inland for environmental or other reasons. 



Because of the hazardous nature of LNG, the plants are usually 

 located in rural areas. Plant sizes may range from 200 to more than 1,000 

 acres, with a substantial portion of the acreage set aside as a buffer 

 zone. For example, the proposed Oxnard, California site consists of 218 

 acres, 30 acres of which would be initially developed, and a maximum 

 development of 46 acres. For safety reasons, plant processing units would 

 be sited at least one- third mile from neighboring buildings and communities 



Work areas must be level, with soil bearing strength capable of 

 supporting heavy storage tanks. The site also must be geologically stable 

 in order to eliminate the possibility of release of LNG from earthquake- 

 ruptured tanks. 



Marine terminals for an LNG system should have sheltered waters (to 

 minimize LNG transfer risks) deep channels, turning basins, berthing 

 space, and easy access to the open ocean. The LNG ship offloading system 

 proposed for Oxnard would use a pipeline on a trestle to connect the 

 dock with onshore storage; the system for Cove Point has its pipeline in 

 a seafloor tunnel. Both systems reduce the need for channel and turning 

 basin improvements. 



3.10.3 Potential Sources of Disturbance 



LNG plants have a moderately high potential for adverse environmental 

 effects involving deepwater marine terminals and associated long piers, 

 site clearing and grading, onshore pipelines necessary to transport the 

 gas to market, and some aspects of pollution control. The use of 

 adjacent surface water or groundwater in heating or cooling the gas and 

 the integrity of pipeline connections are of particular importance. 

 (Onshore pipelines and marine terminals are discussed in Sections 3.2 and 

 3.3.) Roadways are a significant siting consideration for LNG plants only 

 during construction when access roads may experience heavy truck traffic 

 and increased volumes of general traffic. 



Emissions to the atmosphere may be present in the form of vaporized 

 LNG (i.e., natural gas) produced during transfer and from storage tank 



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