On Wednesday, an explosion at a major liquefied natural gas plant in Texas heightened fears of pollution and other consequences in local communities and served as the latest evidence of the climate threat posed by the burgeoning LNG sector.
The blast occurred about noon local time at Freeport LNG’s export facility on Texas’ Quintana Island, and no injuries have been recorded. Authorities stated the fire and “release” from the explosion were quickly put out, and that an inquiry into the reason is underway, but neighbors in the area expressed fear that they would be kept in the dark.
Another addition to the current energy crisis we are facing…just great!
Melanie Oldham, founder of Citizens for Clean Air and Clean Water in Brazoria County, where the Freeport LNG facility is located said:
“This is terrifying, we’ve been afraid of a disaster happening ever since Freeport LNG started exporting gas. We shouldn’t have to live in fear just so gas executives like [company CEO] Michael Smith can get rich.”
“This is dangerous business, what kind of air monitoring are they doing out there? Will they even be able to tell what the explosion released? And will they tell us? Thankfully it looks like none of the workers or anyone else was injured or killed. We may not be so lucky the next time there’s an explosion at this plant, or any of the polluting facilities surrounding us, for that matter.”
Surfside residents who live nearby said they heard and felt the explosion.
“We were in our home. We felt the ground shake and it was like rolling thunder. That’s what it sounded like. My husband flew out the door and said ‘there’s an explosion over at the LNG,’“ said Maribel Hill.
At one point, the U.S. Coast Guard said there was a two-mile security zone east and west of the plant as other law enforcement closed off the island. It’s unknown if that security zone is still in place.
Due to the explosion on Wednesday, the Freeport LNG facility will be closed for at least three weeks.’
According to Reuters, the temporary suspension is expected to remove 1 million tons of LNG off the market.
Quintana Island currently closed. Took this pic from Freeport approach. Beach goers and residents were told to evacuate as a precaution after explosion at LNG facility. No injuries reported. Awaiting more info from authorities. Keep up via @KHOU: https://t.co/aUfXeYWrtX #khou11 pic.twitter.com/isZ9vc3Hgw
— Jason Miles (@JMilesKHOU) June 8, 2022
Sources: Westernjournal, Houstonchronicle, Reuters