|
|
|
Environmental
"While much attention has been directed towards the debate on coal-fired generation, the burning of oil within the State of Florida has been overlooked. We do not want to lose sight of the fact that Florida is one of the leading users of fuel oil in the United States. Any opportunity to reduce that distinction should be considered. For example, one proposed [natural gas] storage facility under consideration would have the capacity to provide enough stored natural gas to the state's power plants to displace as much as 114 million gallons of fuel oil a year. . . . Storing natural gas within the state provides an extremely attractive opportunity for Florida to reduce emissions and enhance supply reliability with well-proven technology. Among, the fossil fuels, we believe that natural gas is the fuel of choice for the generation of electricity since it has the least impact on the environment. We must have secure, diverse supplies of natural gas to ensure citizens will have power when they need it with a higher degree of protection and confidence."
-- Excerpt of a letter from the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Audubon of Florida and the Florida Wildlife Federation to Florida Governor Charlie Crist [ click here to read the complete letter ]
Natural gas accounts for about one quarter of all energy used in the United States. In 2001, natural gas accounted for 45% of the residential energy demand, 38% of industrial energy demand, 40% of commercial energy demand, 3% of the transportation sector's energy demand and 14% of the energy used for electricity generation.
— U.S. Department of Energy
"... natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel and among the most viable near-term alternatives to coal, which currently accounts for more than 50 percent of the U.S. electricity supply. Many environmentalists have advocated it as an energy source that contributes minimally to climate change and air pollution when compared with the rest of the fossil-fuel family."
— Amanda Griscom, writing for GRIST
"Natural gas is the fossil fuel du jour. It is less polluting than either coal or petroleum in conventional uses, including residential, commercial and industrial applications, as well as in electricity generation ..."
— Raymond Kopp, writing for Resources
Increasing environmental awareness in the United States and elsewhere is one important reason why demand for natural gas is rising quickly. Natural gas produces fifty percent less carbon dioxide than coal and 33% less carbon dioxide than oil.
Floridian Natural Gas Storage Company's above-ground natural gas storage facility is what is known as a peak-shaving plant since it provides gas when it's needed on peak demand days. The most efficient way to store natural gas is to refrigerate it so that it goes into a liquid phase which occupies only 1/600th of the volume when in a gas phase. Storing natural gas that comes into the state through existing pipelines for existing power companies increases the efficiency of the existing gas infrastructure. Gas can be brought in through these gas lines during off-peak times, stored and then returned back to the supply grid during peak periods. This increases the efficiency of the current supply channels.
Currently, Florida power plants burn more than two billion gallons of distillates and residual fuel oils each year. Much of this is consumed during the peak summer season when the natural gas pipelines are full and the negative effects of the additional emissions on air quality is greatest. By providing a way for the state's power providers to utilize additional cleaner-burning natural gas during peak periods, natural gas storage in Florida can help improve air quality. For instance, during the peak summer season in Florida, FGS gas storage capacity would provide enough natural gas to replace the burning of between 57 and 114 million gallons of fuel oil. In turn, this shift to cleaner-burning natural gas would avoid adding the following range of emissions each year: 188,000 -376,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), 37-74 tons of sulfuric acid mist (SAM), 50-100 tons of particulate matter (PM), 175-350 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), 76-152 tons of carbon monoxide (CO) and 81-162 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx). These numbers are conservative because they are compared to the cleanest burning oil generation (#2 distillate, 0.05% sulfur in a Frame 7 gas turbine). Oil burned in smaller, older units that use residual fuel oils would raise the amount of emissions avoided. These older units are currently used throughout Florida to meet peak demands. This environmental benefit is good for all Floridians.
FGS storage tanks are designed to hold gas at normal atmospheric pressure unlike propane and butane which are stored in high pressure tanks. The liquified gas will not burn or explode. Even in its original state, natural gas is not toxic, has a very limited range of flammability and a very high ignition temperature. In addition, the facility will have many modern high tech systems related to gas detection, fire suppression capability and emergency shut-down systems.
In the unlikely event that gas should escape from the tank; methane is lighter than air. When released in the open, it will simply and harmlessly rise and dissipate. In the equally unlikely event that liquified gas should escape, the spilled gas will not damage the ground or leave behind any residue after it evaporates. Liquified natural gas cannot contaminate the water supply - even if spilled directly onto water, it is insoluble and will evaporate and dissipate. Even in its original gaseous state, natural gas is not toxic, and is hard to ignite or keep burning.
The FGS facility is on the 145-acre Florida Steel Superfund Site in an area already zoned for industrial use near Indiantown. The site has been part of a Superfund clean up remediation for over 12 years which is being directed by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The site is still in remediation but most of the contamination has been removed or dealt with and the site has been available for restricted re-use since 2004. Because of EPA land-use restrictions for superfund sites, only certain types of enterprises can locate on this land that agree to accept the EPA restrictions going forward. An EPA website describing the Florida Steel site is http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/npl/nplfls/flastlfl.htm. The size and location of the site also provide a greenbelt buffer for the gas storage facility.
|
| Home | Top | Contact Us |
| © 2008 Floridian Natural Gas Storage, LLC. All rights reserved. |
|
