The Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the Secretary of Energy to convene a series of LNG forums to provide public education and foster dialogue among Federal officials, State and local officials, the general public, independent experts, and industry representatives. The purpose of the forums is to identify and develop best practices for addressing the issues and challenges associated with LNG imports.
The LNG forums will be held in regions in which LNG import facilities are under consideration. Since there are a number of proposed facilities, regional meetings will be held to provide an opportunity for the public to attend and participate. The four forums scheduled are:
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Boston, Massachusetts (Concluded) Friday, March 10, 2006 John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center 900 Boylston Street
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Astoria, Oregon (Concluded)
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Liberty Theater
1203 Commercial Street
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Los Angeles, California (Concluded)
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa Street
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Houston, Texas (Concluded)
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Westin Galleria Houston
5060 West Alabama
Forum Issues
Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is natural gas in its liquid form. Natural gas is condensed to a liquid by chilling it to about -260 degrees Fahrenheit at atmospheric pressure. This process reduces its volume by a factor of more than 600?similar to reducing the natural gas filling a beach ball into liquefied natural gas filling a ping-pong ball. As a result, just one shipload of LNG can provide nearly 5 percent (roughly 3 billion cubic feet) of the U.S. average daily demand for natural gas, or enough energy to heat more than 43,000 homes for an entire year.
The United States has been importing LNG for over 35 years. LNG arrives at U.S. coastal ports and is off-loaded into specialized terminals that store the LNG until it is vaporized back to natural gas and shipped through the U.S. natural gas pipeline system.
Discussions of the benefits and risks of expanding LNG imports will be a part of U.S. energy policy decisions in the years ahead. To enhance public education and knowledge on the subject of LNG, and to provide the public with the factual information that forms the basis for informed decision-making, the Forums will address the following issues:
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LNG: What it is, where it comes from, and why we need it;
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LNG siting and environmental review processes;
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LNG federal safety and security requirements; and
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LNG risk management.
Panel discussions, presentations, and questions pertaining to the siting of specific LNG projects are beyond the scope of these forums and will not be addressed. The forums are intended to be educational events and should not be considered to be public hearings related to any siting or licensing proceeding.
Register for the Forums
The forums are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so please register early. Pre-registration for the Houston, Texas forum closed on Sunday, November 26, 2006. Pre-registration seating will be held until 10:00am the day of the Forum. A valid picture ID will be requested at check-in. On-site registration will be accepted if seating is available.
Pre-registration can be completed electronically via the link on this page. Alternatively, attendees can print out the registration form and fax it to 202-586-8830, or mail it to:
LNG Forums
ATTN: Bob Corbin
955 L'Enfant Plaza North, SW
Suite 1500
Washington, DC 20024
DOE is soliciting questions and comments from the general public, as well as other parties, on the issues identified above. Questions and comments may be submitted electronically using the link provided on the right, or in writing to the address above. While all questions will be considered by DOE, it may not be possible to ask all questions submitted at the forum.
For More Information
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General Forum Information:
Tate Rich, DOE Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-0464
Bob Corbin , DOE Office of Fossil Energy, 202-586-9460
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News Media: John Grasser, Fossil Energy Office of Communications, 202-586-6503
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