Lng: A Level-Headed Look at the Liquefied Natural Gas Controversy

by Virginia L. Thorndike

Book Overview

36til recently, natural gas has not been in the limelight, but that situation is changing fast. Complex issues of energy use and safety are being brought down to in my backyard context for millions of Americans. This book provides balanced information about LNG so people can make informed decisions about whether they want to be neighbors of an LNG facility.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892727012
• ISBN13: 9780892727018
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Down East Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Practical, down-to-earth informational primer

Written by independent researcher Virginia L. Thorndike, LNG: A Level-Headed Look at the Liquefied Natural Gas Controversy is a much-needed contribution to the public repertoire of information concerning possible solutions to and complications of the modern energy crisis. Natural gas provides approximately one quarter of the energy consumed in the United States, yet even though it appears the US will need to import even more in the future, at the present there are only five terminals designed to handle supercold liquefied gas. Are LNG plants a clean and safe source of energy, advantageous to local economies and needed more desperately than ever in today's modern oil shortage and era of turbulence in the Middle East? Or would LNG plants be horrible disasters waiting to happen, and opportune targets for a terrorist strike? What would the practical ramifications be of an LNG facility built within one to ten miles people's homes? LNG dispenses with the rhetoric and scare tactics of both sides, and offers the simple facts about LNG in plain terms for readers of all backgrounds. A handful of black-and-white pictures and an index round out this practical, down-to-earth informational primer, enthusiastically recommended for anyone concerned about the energy crisis in general or the possible construction of more LNG plants in particular.

The market for LNG.

This book is a quality survey of the tactical issues in the market for LNG. And how this important and evolving energy market not only operates but impacts the very communities and regions where it is located. The author describes in graphic detail not only the market dynamics of the commodity itself but the immediate tactical realities of LNG ranging from transfer operations to operating and proposed regas terminals including the vital role of oversight by the U.S. Coast Guard. This book is hard to put down. The writing is clear the graphics and photos are accuate and clearly enhance the discussion. But there are some missing points however, I think could have been added. The first is a description of the LNG market itself and more specifically how speculation on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) has directly impacted the LNG market and how this powerful market force has ultimately created the volatility and dangers that characterize LNG including most of the issues surrounding the use of LNG as energy policy. The author does a great job in describing the facilitating commerce role of the U.S. Coast Guard, but for whatever reason does not discuss much detail about the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) agencies which have had numerous hearings and dockets concerning LNG and its role in the marketplace.

A Must Read

Virginia Thorndike has written a considered, clear, concise and informative analysis of the Liquefied Natural Gas issue. Although there is plenty of information out there, Thorndike's is the only unbiased account. In addition, the writing is elegant and alive. The book is a joy to read. A must read for any citizen interested in the choices of energy sources, and especially for those who live anywhere near the coast throughout the USA.