Railroads Gaslighted?
Rail transport of gas is the focus of this essay. It also reviews The Biden Administration’s ban on transporting liquefied natural gas by rail.
Research has found that gas stoves in California are leaking cancer-causing benzene, while another study determined that U.S. gas stoves are contributing to global warming by putting 2.6 million tons of methane in the air each year even when turned off. There is good evidence that gas stoves emit harmful levels of oxides of nitrogen, which is known to cause asthma, said Dr. Aaron Bernstein, interim director of the center for climate, health, and the global environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Josh Kelety (AP)
Foreword
This essay centers on rail transportation, specifically delving into the movement of natural and petroleum gases within the United States. Additionally, it reviews the ban imposed by the Biden Administration on the rail transport of liquefied natural gas. To establish a foundational understanding, we shall commence with an exploration of these gases. Join us on this enlightening expedition.
Natural and Petroleum Gas
Natural and petroleum gas are two distinct hydrocarbon gases derived from fossil fuels.1 Although they have similar names and uses, they differ in composition, sources, properties, and uses.
Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, the simplest hydrocarbon molecule. Natural gas may include smaller amounts of ethane, propane, and butane. Natural gas comes from underground reservoirs, often alongside oil production.
On the other hand, petroleum gas consists mainly of propane and butane, though it may contain small amounts of other hydrocarbons. The primary source is crude oil refining when making gasoline and other petroleum products.
Petroleum gas has more energy than natural gas because it contains denser hydrocarbons like propane and butane. Yet, natural gas has a lower energy content per unit volume but is more energy-efficient due to its higher methane content.
Natural gas and petroleum gas are both hydrocarbon gases used for similar purposes. However, they are different in their makeup, how they act, and where they come from. That makes them useful for various applications. It’s essential to know these differences when choosing fuel and using it safely and efficiently.
For storage and transportation, petroleum gas undergoes processing into liquified petroleum gas (LPG). Likewise, natural gas, when processed with high compression and refrigeration, is called liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is another method of transporting without liquefication. The pressure of CNG in tanks used to power vehicles can vary, but it is commonly stored at pressures ranging from 3,000 to 3,600 pounds per square inch (psi).
Gas Pipelines
Natural gas (methane) pipelines are an extensive network of underground pipes. They move natural gas from where it’s made to where people use it. Smaller pipelines distribute the gas to houses in residential areas. The pressure in long-distance natural gas pipelines can vary, typically maintained at 200 to 1,500 psi or higher.
Petroleum gas is also moved through pipelines. Pipelines are an efficient and easy way to transport them. Pipelines for petroleum gases are separate from natural gas pipelines to avoid mixing them. Pipelines often carry petroleum gases to faraway storage facilities. Petroleum gas is typically liquified for transport (see below).
Liquid Gas
Liquified Petroleum Gas
Liquified petroleum gas (LPG), aka propane, is a liquid at minus 44°F, and tank systems can store and transport it. The pressure within LPG pipelines can range from approximately 200 psi to 600 or more psi. These pipelines are commonly used to transport LPG from storage facilities to distribution centers and industrial users.
Liquified Natual Gas
Keeping liquified natural gas (LNG) in a liquid state requires storing predominantly methane at extremely high pressure and frigid temperatures (around minus 260°F (or minus 162°C) and low pressure. The pressure ranges from approximately 3,000 to 5,000 psi for most natural gas liquefaction processes. This high pressure is necessary to maintain the natural gas in a liquid state at extremely low temperatures.
Engineers use unique materials to make short-length pipelines at terminal facilities that can withstand frigid temperatures and prevent heat buildup. They also have extensive insulation. They consider these requirements when designing the LNG transportation infrastructure, like cryogenic tanks and vessels. Because of these considerations, LNG is not transported long distances by pipeline. Instead, natural gas goes through a compression process for transportation via a pipeline in a gaseous state.
Liquid Gas Transportation
LPG
Truck, rail, and ship transport LPG. Here are some critical details about LPG transport:
Pipeline: Transporting LPG underground requires specialized infrastructure, including pipelines designed for liquids. Pumps maintain the pressure, and facilities handle the temperature and pressure changes during transportation.
Rail: Railroad tanker cars transport large quantities of LPG long distances. Tank cars have a similar cylindrical, insulated tank design with LPG loaded onto trains rather than trucks. Rail transport is more common in countries with extensive railroad infrastructure.
Ship: LPG goes into specially designed LPG carrier ships for overseas transport. Multiple insulated tanks hold the liquefied gas at cold temperatures and under pressure. LPG carriers transport imported and exported LPG between coastal terminals and across oceans.
Truck: LPG is most often transported by truck in specialized tanker trucks. The cylindrical tanks on the trucks are heavily insulated to keep the LPG liquefied and under pressure during transport. Trucks deliver LPG from refineries, pipeline terminals, and ports to bulk storage facilities and end-use consumers.
Safety is critical when transporting LPG due to its flammability. Strict protocols govern handling, transport conditions, and equipment maintenance to prevent leaks or accidents. Proper LPG transportation ensures this vital fuel arrives safely at its destination.
LNG by Ship and Truck
LNG has some transportation similarities to LPG but also some key differences. The following points describe the main ways of LNG transport.
Tanker Ships: The most common way to transport LNG internationally is via large LNG carrier ships. These double-hulled ships contain massive, heavily insulated LNG storage tanks maintained at minus 260°F. LNG is loaded at export terminals and unloaded at import terminals.
Trucks: Insulated tanker trucks transport LNG by road like LPG trucks for shorter distances. LNG takes up more space than LPG for the same energy content, so trucks max out at around 12,000-gallon capacity.
Rail: See “LNG by Rail” below.
The critical difference from LPG is LNG requires a much colder cryogenic temperature. Specialized containment systems are required for all transport modes to keep the LNG chilled at around minus 260°F. LNG exhibits volatility in its cryogenic state and demands specialized containment systems during transportation. Upon reaching its ultimate destination, it necessitates a regasification process before it can be seamlessly integrated into the gas pipeline distribution network. Because of these considerations, natural gas gets compressed, short of liquification, for transport by pipeline.
LNG by Rail
Railroads have transported cryogenic liquids for 80+ years. That includes liquid chlorine, oxygen, ethylene, and hydrogen. Until recently, railroads had to get special permits from the USDOT to transport LNG. Trucks have carried LNG for 50+ years, but rails are safer with dangerous materials.
With the above history as an incentive, in April 2019, President Trump issued Executive Order 13868, “Promoting Energy Infrastructure and Economic Growth.” It mandated that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) treat liquefied natural gas LNG like other cryogenic liquids. It allowed the transportation of LNG in approved rail tank cars. This directive required PHMSA to finalize the corresponding rulemaking within 13 months.
In response, on October 24, 2019, PHMSA initiated a notice of proposed rulemaking titled Hazardous Materials: Liquefied Natural Gas by Rail. That proposal aimed to permit LNG transportation in existing DOT–113C120W specification tank cars. The initial comment period for this proposal closed on December 23, 2019, and was extended until January 13, 2020.
PHMSA published the Final Rule in July 2020 authorizing the shipment of LNG in new DOT–113C120W9 specification rail tank cars with enhanced outer tank requirements, subject to all applicable requirements and specific new operational controls. The July 2020 Final Rule became effective on August 24, 2020, and was swiftly followed by several petitions for judicial review. Meanwhile, during this period, PHMSA granted Energy Transport Solutions, LLC (ETS) permission to transport LNG by rail tank car.
Under DOT–SP 20534, this permission allowed LNG to move in existing DOT–113 tank cars from Wyalusing, PA, to Gibbstown, NJ, with no intermediate stops. Safety measures included remote sensing for pressure, location, and leakage monitoring and mandatory training for emergency response agencies along the route. However, DOT–SP 20534 expired on November 30, 2021, as ETS applied for its renewal on November 29, 2021, and PHMSA subsequently denied the renewal application on March 31, 2023. Of note, the DOT–113C120W tank cars destined for use at the ETS PA/NJ project have been moved to Canada and used.
Meanwhile, on February 3, 2023, a mixed-consist freight train operated by Norfolk Southern Railway—comprised of two head-end locomotives, 149 railcars, and one distributed power locomotive—derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Thirty-eight railcars derailed, including 11 tank cars carrying combustible liquid and flammable gas hazardous materials, though none of the railcars were carrying LNG. This accident invigorated the debate about the shipment of hazmat in general.2 Then, on September 1, 2023, under the direction of the Biden Administration, PHMSA issued a Suspension of HMR Amendments Authorizing Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas by Rail.34
LNG producers argued this move by the Biden Administration terminated a crucial new distribution method. But environmental groups praised stopping a rule they considered dangerous.5 Industry representatives are still determining if or when a future administration may propose LNG by rail again. For now, the Biden administration’s action ended this Trump-led initiative due to pressure groups expressing safety and environmental concerns.
LNG Locomotive Tenders
LNG tenders are specialty cryogenic tanker cars that deliver LNG fuel to locomotives in the field. The term “tender” is a holdover from the steam locomotive days.6 The tender held the coal or fuel oil used to fire the boiler to make steam.
The heavily insulated tender tank keeps the LNG at high pressure and chilled at minus 260°F during transport. When a locomotive needs LNG fuel, it pulls into a designated refueling depot. The LNG tender then connects to the fueling inlet on the locomotive and transfers LNG into the engine’s cryogenic fuel tank. Unique cryogenic pumps and hoses transfer it between the tender and locomotive to prevent ultra-cold LNG from warming. Fuel technicians wear protective gear when handling connections.
Locomotives powered by LNG require modified engine systems and fuel tanks designed to store and combust LNG safely. Re-gasifiers equipped in the fuel systems turn LNG back into gas for combustion. When LNG is used instead of diesel, emissions from locomotive engines are significantly reduced. LNG burns cleaner than diesel fuel.
LNG tenders are viable for using cleaner-burning LNG for locomotives without onsite fueling. Regulators have yet to establish rules for the bulk transportation of LNG by train. Thus, the few United States railroads that utilize LNG tenders have special permission (regulatory waivers) from the government to use this fuel to power locomotives.
Analysis
Petroleum gas is valued for its clean-burning properties, energy efficiency, and versatility. It is stored and transported as a liquid under pressure and is available in portable cylinders, bulk storage tanks, and centralized distribution systems. Its applications extend from residential and commercial use to industrial, agricultural, and transportation sectors.
Natural gas is favored for its relatively low emissions compared to other fossil fuels and its efficiency in energy conversion. It plays a crucial role in meeting energy needs and reducing environmental impact, especially when combined with renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures.7
The following table summarises the various modes of transportation utilized to move gas.
Please access the following document to explore the myriad of vital applications of gases that enable our modern way of life. Additionally, reflect on the elements within this list that are uniquely attainable with these gases as we shift towards a more “environmentally sustainable economy.”
According to PHMSA, there has been an annual average of 10 fatalities from pipeline incidents in the last decade.8 In contrast, there have been no fatalities related to hazardous materials releases in rail incidents during this time. However, in addition to the East Palestine, OH incident, it is essential to remember the noteworthy rail accidents involving hazardous materials when discussing this data.
Conclusion
In recent decades, we have seen highway trucks and other vehicles that run on LPG and CNG. The owners proudly display signage about the environmentally friendly nature of these vehicles. What happened? The world’s energy landscape is changing as we move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable sources. Legacy media drives people to worry about climate change. These concerns are driving mass psychosis centered on saving the planet.
Of course, we all want a clean environment. However, there is an unsettling partnership between legacy media, pressure groups, and the government. The money supporting this “green machine” raises serious doubts about its credibility and honesty. Check out Frederick R. Smith’s essays Railroaded by Windmills, and Climate Change Control of the Peoples. Discover Fake Invisible Catastrophes and More, a book that uncovers deceptive narratives. Lastly, delve into the connection between the invasion of Ukraine and carbon dioxide.
Is railroad transportation of LNG facing undue scrutiny? Or is it facing Gastly Gaslighting? Highways and waterways have no restrictions, but rail transport gets significant attention. Millions of individuals traverse gas pipeline infrastructure daily with little attention. Focusing on gas distribution by other modes opens the curtain to a less-than-rosy picture.
Afterword
Thanks to Frederick R. Smith Speaks subscriber Edwin, who inquired about this topic. This essay is only possible with the help of my trusted railroad insider hazmat specialist colleagues.
I warmly encourage you to consider becoming a paid subscriber if you have the means. Regardless of your choice, your support is deeply appreciated. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your invaluable support!
As a tangent into a rabbit hole, some believe the term “fossil fuel” is a ruse.
Also see Frederick R. Smith Speaks The East Palestine Ohio Train Wreck: a Study in Hysteria.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) develops tank car regulations. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) enforces those regulations.
From the PHMSA, September 1, 2023, Federal Register notice:
LNG is a natural gas that has been cooled and converted to a liquid form for easier and more efficient transportation. In the United States, pipelines have historically delivered most natural gas, although other modes of transportation—such as rail and highway—have accounted for a relatively minor portion of natural gas transportation, typically in the form of LNG. Before PHMSA published the July 2020 Final Rule, rail transportation of LNG would have been limited to UN portable tank shipments (commonly referred to as ISO tank shipments) under an FRA approval and shipments made under SPs [Special Permits] issued by PHMSA. This approach reflected the unique safety risks presented by rail transportation of large volumes of LNG and the historically low demand to transport LNG by rail.
See footnote 8.
The term “tender” in the context of steam locomotives refers to the separate, attached car that carries fuel, such as coal or wood, and water for the locomotive’s boiler. This term originated in the early days of steam locomotives and railways.
The word “tender” in this context likely comes from the idea that the car “tended” to the locomotive’s needs by supplying it with fuel and water, ensuring it could continue operating efficiently. The tender was an essential component of a steam locomotive, allowing it to travel longer distances without frequent stops for refueling or taking on water.
So, the term “tender” in the context of steam locomotives originates in the practical function of the car that supplied fuel and water to these early forms of transportation.
Economics of Gas Transportation by Pipeline and LNG:
The relatively low energy density of natural gas on a volumetric basis—almost 1000 times lower compared to crude oil—makes it one of the most challenging and expensive primary fuels to transport from the wellhead to the burner tip of end-consumers. Internationally traded natural gas is typically transported either in gaseous form via long-distance pipeline systems or in the form of liquefied natural gas on ships (LNG carriers). This chapter provides a focus on the economics and commercial aspects of these large, often multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects characterized by high upfront investment costs—and requiring complex risk-sharing mechanisms between all parties involved.
Screenshots from the PHMSA safety data site:
Excellent and informative. More evidence of the green wackos destroying without realizing the consequences. More "good" news. Thanks to Brandon reducing the ability to keep America energy independent and committing treason by selling our oil reserves to China, commercial oil reserves are down to FORTY PERCENT! The lowest since 2014! High gas and little or no heating oil for winter!
It's all part of their plan to control everything...