Greenpeace Mexico interview in La Journada: Baja has ample solar and thermal energy and does not need LNG

[Hans Laetz, Newsgroup Editor]

Sempra no, yes clean energy: Greenpeace

Tuesday February 15, 2011 1:47 - Google translation

In 2004, Greenpeace reported that the Liquefied Natural Gas plant
(LNG) company Energia Costa Azul, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, was a
serious risk to the population of Ensenada, Baja California and the
ecosystem of the region for its high level of explosiveness .

Sseven years later,Greenpeace says the community of Ensenada has been
achieved by means of social protest that the gas terminal is put back
in the crosshairs of state authorities to demand that it be closed.

Why is it so dangerous this type of fuel? He asked.

"LNG is the liquid form of natural gas. Through a process called
liquefaction of natural gas is condensed at 160 ° C below zero and the
volume is reduced about 600 times its original volume. In this compact
volume of gas can be transported in ships and delivered to processing
plants like the Riviera, where it is converted back to natural gas for
distribution to customers, "he says.

A leak of LNG can cause serious fires, since contact with the
combustion air is immediate, intense fire is burning at temperatures
higher than those of gas or oil fires, he adds.

This risk, he continues, increases if the fire occurs at sea, when the
fuel is transported on ships to regasification plants. Several experts
agree that a fire in the water is the most serious risk of LNG. In
just 3 minutes, fire can spread to almost a mile from the ship. Note
that in the great fire, if the skin is exposed for approximately 30
seconds at a distance from the fire half a mile, you can second-degree
burns. If LNG escaped without being hit by fire, the gas cloud could
move anywhere and start a fire.

All security measures have been taken in the United States to secure
the transport and processing of LNG is an implicit recognition of the
extreme danger that surrounds the terminals of the fuel, no matter
where they are built.

"Given this adverse scenario, Baja California does not need to depend
on a fuel such as LNG. Currently, this entity satisfies part of its
electricity needs from geothermal energy advantage of Cerro Prieto.
The Sierra de La Rumorosa between Tijuana and Mexicali, San Pedro
Martir is one of the best places in Mexico to generate wind power. The
northwest region of the country receives an excellent solar radiation,
with an average radiation 5kwh/m2 excellent day, "he explains in his
newsletter.

Today, more than six years since the first protests against the
installation of Sempra in Baja California, he says, the arguments
raised in 2004 remain valid: Mexico should set aside such risky
projects and detonate a [r] evolution.