From the Associated Press, June 22:
The Trump administration has taken the final step to allow rail shipments of liquefied natural gas, a new front in the movement of energy products that had been opposed by environmental groups and 15 states.
The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration published the rule late last week for shipments of the flammable and odorless liquid known as LNG.“The department’s new rule carefully lays out key operational safeguards to provide for the safe transportation of LNG by rail to more parts of the country where this energy source is needed,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said in a statement.The rule comes amid foundering prices for natural gas in the U.S., as court and regulatory battles over pipeline projects have slowed movement of the nation’s world-leading gas production to markets.The rule requires enhancements — including a thicker outer tank made of steel with a greater puncture resistance — to the approved tank car design that, for decades, has been approved for shipments of other flammable cryogenic materials, such as liquid ethylene and liquid ethane. The rule takes effect in 30 days after it was published.Previously, federal hazardous materials regulations allow shipments of LNG by truck, but not by rail, except for with a special permit....
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We posted this video on July 13. The China Daily twitter feed says oil tanker but it was LNG.
LNG Tanker Truck Explosion in China: Devastation
From Sputnik:
Death Toll From Tanker Explosion in China Reaches 19, 172 People Injured
The number of people who died as a result of an explosion of a tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the Wenling city of the Taizhou municipality in eastern Chinese Zhejiang Province has grown to 19, while the number of injured people has reached 172, Wenling Deputy Mayor Zhu Minglang said on Sunday.
"As of now, 19 people died and 172 people are being treated in hospitals as a result of the incident", the city official said at a press conference.Video footage of the explosion on the internet shows forceful shock waves throwing vehicles up in the air and reaching nearby residential houses. Many people are feared to be under the rubble. A big portion of the road can be seen covered with thick black smog and scattered fire hotbeds....
