LNG is a safe fuel for Hawaiʻi
LNG Opens New Possibilities
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is transported and used safely around the world every day. In 2024 alone, more than 406 million tonnes of LNG were traded globally, or around 5,800 cargoes. Over the past 50+ years, over 120,000 commercial LNG cargoes have been delivered safely without incident via ocean going transport.
Production of LNG involves converting natural gas into liquid form by cooling it to an extremely low temperature (- 260° F /–162° C). Liquefication of the gas reduces it to about 1/600th of the original size. It is equivalent to shrinking gas volume from the size of a beach ball to a golf ball.
The shrinking effect is important because it allows very large volumes of LNG to be shipped in specially designed vessels to receiving terminals, where it is usually regasified for use. This means natural gas – the cleanest burning fossil fuel – can be conveniently transported and used in island locations like Oʻahu where pipeline supply is not feasible.
A Safe and Non-Toxic Fuel for Oʻahu
The physical properties of LNG have been well-established over decades of use and academic study.
LNG is non-toxic and non-corrosive. It is also not a threat to contaminate waterways or soils in the way that oil and other petroleum products are.
In the unlikely event of a spill and exposure to warmer air or water, LNG quickly turns back into natural gas. This gas is much less dense than air and rises and dissipates rather than spreading and lingering.
LNG is non-flammable in liquid form and the vapor it produces requires a specific set of circumstances to ignite – namely 5-15% concentration in air in the presence of an ignition source. The fast-dispersing nature of gas means it is very unlikely to gather in this concentration in open or well-ventilated areas.
LNG is delivered by ship to terminals where it is regasified ahead of being used. These terminals can either be land-based or, in the case of JERA’s proposal, floating infrastructure located offshore.
A Highly Regulated, Safety-Focused Industry
Every aspect of LNG transport and use in the United States is closely regulated, with safety an absolute focus. JERA’s proposal for Oʻahu is no different. Each component will meet a range of federal, state, and local safety standards, building codes, and permitting requirements, including emergency preparedness.
This includes:
- LNG delivery: tankers are highly specialized, with double-walled vacuum-insulated storage tanks to minimize the chance of leaks and the rate at which any leaked LNG will vaporize. Globally, more than 15 LNG deliveries take place every day without incident.
- LNG vessel traffic: will be monitored and regulated by the U.S Coast Guard, establishing safety and security zones during transit and around the delivery terminal. The terminal will be located two miles offshore to help avoid other shipping traffic.
- LNG terminal: JERA’s proposed FSRU represents a mature, proven, and safe technology that has been in use for 20 years. More than 50 of these terminals are operating around the world today. Oʻahu’s terminal will undergo rigorous planning assessment, approval and oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
- Pipelines: natural gas pipelines are among the safest forms of energy transport on both a per-mile and per-volume basis. JERA’s proposed pipelines will be engineered to meet stringent federal and state safety standards and monitored continually during operation.
- Gas-fired power plant: the proposed plant in Kapolei will need to obtain a range of state environmental, land use, and construction permits, including authorization from the Hawaiʻi Office of Environmental Quality Control.
Similar LNG-to-power infrastructure operates effectively and safely around the world, including in Jamaica, Malta, and Gibraltar – which, like Oʻahu, were previously dependent on oil-fired power and face the weather-related challenges associated with island living.
JERA is the largest single corporate buyer and handler of LNG globally and has extensive experience throughout the value chain: from gas production, to transport, import terminals and power generation. JERA’s power solutions are tailored to specific locations, and the safety and wellbeing of communities is always the highest priority.
This includes ensuring LNG terminals, power plants and other infrastructure can withstand extreme weather such as hurricanes and also tsunamis.
Can they withstand severe weather?
Facilities in Hawaii muct be designed for local conditions. Safety features include:
Offshore infrastructure designed for marine conditions
Fully disconnectable system in the event of tsunami or severe weather
Seismic shut-off systems
Structures built for high winds
Better Air Quality for O’ahu
Switching from oil to gas will also provide local air quality benefits on Oʻahu.
As the International Energy Agency has outlined, combustion of gas emits significantly fewer pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur oxides dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compared to other fossil fuels.
How does LNG impact air quality & health?
There are several notable examples globally of oil-to-gas switching improving air quality, including Japan in the 1970s. More recently, Jamaica, Gibraltar, and Malta have all switched from oil-based power generation to cleaner LNG and have seen a decline in PM2.5, which contributes to an estimated 4 million premature deaths worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Malta’s SOx and NOx emissions fell to zero from previously high levels when the island switched from oil to gas, and in a survey, residents observed a noticeable improvement in air quality when the country moved from oil to LNG, according to one independent academic study.
Emission levels from JERA’s gas-fired power plant on Oʻahu would be continually monitored by relevant local authorities.
In Summary
LNG is a highly regulated and widely used fuel that will increase reliability of power production on Oʻahu, while reducing emissions and the size of power bills.
LNG is not a threat to the environment or people and can be used safely and effectively to support Oʻahu’s transition to renewables.
Related Myths & Facts
LNG will keep the lights on for Oʻahu
