An article published in the Sunday New York Times points out the security risks posed by natural gas pipelines, focusing on a website (www.cryptome.org) that shows a photo purported to be an exposed natural gas pipeline in New York City near the site of the Republican National Convention.

The Times article, “Mapping Natural Gas Lines: Advise the Public, Tip Off the Terrorists” (https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/nyregion/29pipeline.html.) notes that the website is run by John Young, originally from Odessa, TX, who regularly posts documents and photographs showing alleged weak spots in the nation’s security, including nuclear facilities and police preparations for the convention.

Young maintains that security operations set up around certain natural gas facilities do not ease concerns, since much of the gas pipeline system, although underground, is clearly marked as a precaution against accidental damage to the line.

Digging them up, however, would involve some heavy work, which is not something most of the terrorists so far have been noted for.

The Times article claims there are government documents showing that an Al Qaeda operative once planned to rent apartments in three New York City high-rises that use natural gas, fill the apartments with fumes and set them off simultaneously using remote detonators.

Since the 9/11 attacks, detailed maps that pinpoint gas pipeline locations have been removed from many pipeline company and government websites.

©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.