• Home
  • Courses

    Browse By Agency

    • DOT
    • IATA
    • IMDG
    • ADR
    • TDG
    • RCRA
    • OSHA
    • FMCSA

    Browse By Type

    • Non-Bulk
    • Bulk
    • International
    • Lithium Battery

    About our Training

    • Delivery Methods
    • Renewal Training
    • Certifications
  • Professional Services
    • hazMAX™ Portal
    • Carrier Management System
    • Rail Services
    • Audits Services
    • Compliance Programs
    • Learning Management System
  • About Us
  • News
  • Contact
    Have a question?
    412-249-1111
    info@learnhazmat.com
    Transportation Compliance Associates, Inc
    • Home
    • Courses

      Browse By Agency

      • DOT
      • IATA
      • IMDG
      • ADR
      • TDG
      • RCRA
      • OSHA
      • FMCSA

      Browse By Type

      • Non-Bulk
      • Bulk
      • International
      • Lithium Battery

      About our Training

      • Delivery Methods
      • Renewal Training
      • Certifications
    • Professional Services
      • hazMAX™ Portal
      • Carrier Management System
      • Rail Services
      • Audits Services
      • Compliance Programs
      • Learning Management System
    • About Us
    • News
    • Contact

      DOT

      Home » Blog » To Liquefy or Not? That is The Question.

      To Liquefy or Not? That is The Question.

      • Categories DOT
      • Date February 18, 2020

      (CH4) Anyone?

      With climate control, going green, and alternative fuel sources making headlines everyday it’s a mystery as to why Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is not already being widely transported by rail. If you have asked this question before, I am sure you have heard answers like:

      “Regulatory Lag is responsible,” Or “It takes 12 months + to get an accident report, let alone a final rule in place.”

      Even still, there is undoubtedly a demand for LNG as the number of facilities rose 28.7 percent between 2010 to 2018. And during this same time, the total liquid capacity increased by 939 percent due to new LNG export terminals. Clearly there is a demand for greater flexibility in modes of transportation of LNG. So, why haven’t we gotten there yet?

      With all things, especially new to the market, risk must be considered. Simply put, there still isn’t enough data on the safe transportation of LNG by rail for some to be at ease. However, we can look to our overseas neighbors and in our very own backyard for some great initial findings and real world daily use. In 2015, Germany-based VTG Aktiengesellschaft (VTG Rail in North America) signed a contract with Norway-based Skangass As to haul LNG by rail. Although, some would say this is a small sample size, the operation involves movement of up to ~1,500 cubic meters of LNG per trip, in up to 20 LNG tank cars which could replace the use of highway tank trucks. Another prime example, is in our own backyard in Florida. Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) has been moving LNG-fueled locomotives since 2017 across 300 miles of track between Jacksonville and Miami. This alone is two years of daily-use operational data, incident reports, and maintenance records. Combine this with what VTG has done since 2015, and there is almost 7 years’ worth of field tested data.

      Thankfully, the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), along with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) put forth a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to authorize transportation of LNG by rail in DOT 113 Specification tank cars. You can read more about this in our Tank You Very Much article and much more when you opt-in to our newsletter.

      There is an old saying “no risk, no reward.”

      America has always been at the fore front of calculated risk taking and has a legacy of success. I see no reason to stop at LNG transportation. Between the current data we have and BNSFs’ 1982-1987 natural gas research of “the likelihood that no hazard occurs” with five alternative fuel sources (see graphic below), we should be making leaps and bounds to forge a new path into the forefront for LNG transportation.

      Liquid Natural Gas

       

       

      Tag:DOT-113, FRA, HAZMAT, HMR, LNG, NPRM, PHMSA, Training

      • Share:
      author avatar
      David Phenicie

      Previous post

      26915
      February 18, 2020

      Next post

      Ministerial Order
      February 19, 2020

      You may also like

      Final
      PHMSA’s Final Rule: Setting the Record Straight
      13 January, 2023
      a Final Rule that Could Prove Costly for Some. See what the Final Rule Changed.
      DOT Publishes a Final Rule That Could Prove Costly For Some.
      10 January, 2023
      PHMSA FAQ
      Applicability: PHMSA Answers Your FAQ’s
      19 December, 2022

      Search

      Recent Blogs

      • OSHA: Civil Penalties Increase for 2023 January 27, 2023
      • PHMSA’s Final Rule: Setting the Record Straight January 13, 2023
      • DOT Publishes a Final Rule That Could Prove Costly For Some. January 10, 2023
      • Applicability: PHMSA Answers Your FAQ’s December 19, 2022
      • UPDATE: USPS Publication 52 Finalized December 9, 2022

      Popular Courses

      IMDG

      IMDG

      IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations

      IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations

      DOT Bulk General Service Tank Cars

      DOT Bulk General Service Tank Cars

      DOT Non Bulk

      DOT Non Bulk

      DOT Lithium Battery Supplement

      DOT Lithium Battery Supplement

      DOT Bulk General Awareness and Security

      DOT Bulk General Awareness and Security

      ADR

      ADR

      ADR & IMDG Lithium Battery Supplement

      ADR & IMDG Lithium Battery Supplement

      412-249-1111
      info@learnhazmat.com
      1340 Route 30

      Clinton, PA 15026

      Facebook-f Linkedin

      LearnHazmat.com Copyright 2006 - Present
      hazMAX Is a registered trademark

      • Privacy
      • Refund Policy
      Back to top

      STILL LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION? REQUEST A FREE 15-MINUTE CONSULTATION

      Speak With a Regulatory Specialist Today

        Purchase Course

        Shopping Cart

        Your cart is empty
        Checkout Now