Seven Massachusetts’ Democrats have called on the federal government to place Boston Harbor and Everett, MA, on high security alert (Orange Level) whenever liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers enter the harbor to be offloaded at the Distrigas import terminal.

The Distrigas of Massachusetts’ LNG facility “should be considered a critical asset that warrants enhanced protective measures” so that the state can qualify for federal aid to cover the costs associated with “securing this vulnerable target from terrorism during the arrival, docking and departure of the LNG tankers,” wrote House and Senate lawmakers in a letter to Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge in early February. The Massachusetts’ Democratic delegation still is awaiting a response, said a spokesman for Rep. Edward Markey.

Boston is the only harbor in the United States where LNG tankers travel in “very close proximity” to densely populated cities and towns, according to the seven-member delegation, which includes Markey, presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry and Reps. Barney Frank, John Tierney, Stephen Lynch, William Delahunt and Michael Capuano. “This particular configuration is unlike any other LNG terminal in the United States and warrants the special attention” from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Spending by local communities to safeguard against LNG tanker mishaps “[is] straining already tight budgets,” they noted. Communities were eligible for federal reimbursement of security costs when the national threat level was elevated to Orange over the holiday season, but the threat to the Boston area and the associated high security costs continued even after the level was lowered nationwide (Yellow Level).

“We have been informed that the LNG deliveries to the Everett terminal require security measures consistent with those in effect during Orange Threat Levels, regardless of whether the national threat level is at Orange,” the delegation said. “Even during periods at which the nation is at a Yellow Threat Level…the potential threat to LNG facilities and LNG tankers may prompt warnings to local responders and facility operators that suggest increased security measures be undertaken.”

The lawmakers called on the department to take steps to “ensure that local governments’ expenditures on security associated with the weekly LNG shipments to the Everett terminal are reimbursable from federal funds.”

Testifying before a state House panel, Boston’s new Police Commissioner Kathleen O’Toole last week also recommended that Boston Harbor be put on “indefinite high alert” so that the state could qualify for federal assistance for securing LNG shipments, The Boston Globe reported.

LNG traffic in Boston Harbor was identified as potential terrorist target following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York City and at the U.S. Pentagon. The U.S. Coast Guard banned LNG tankers in the harbor for three weeks immediately after the attacks to review the safety and security concerns associated with the potentially hazardous fuel.

©Copyright 2004 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.