01:00 AM EDT on Monday, April 19, 2004

BY JESSICA RESNICK-AULT
Journal Staff Writer

FALL RIVER -- The concerns were the same, but new voices were added to the mix on Friday as politicians and residents slammed a plan to build a liquefied natural gas import terminal in the city's North End.

More than 100 people packed a small staff lunch room at Bristol Community College, testifying before state legislators who serve on the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committees. Most of the testimony was opposed to the facility -- the only ringing endorsement came from Gordon Shearer, CEO of terminal developer Weaver's Cove Energy. One of the few neutral positions was taken by Coast Guard Capt. Mary Landry, who addressed the Coast Guard's role in the federal approval process.

The event was a "special exercise" in bringing state government down to Fall River, according to the hearing's coordinator, Rep. David Sullivan, D-Fall River.

Federal, state, and local officials testified first, with residents speaking near the end of the five-hour hearing, when most of the crowd had petered out. Still, Rep. Martin J. Walsh, D-Dorchester, said resident feedback was a crucial component of the meeting.

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch spoke first, describing the flotilla of security that accompanies LNG tankers unloading in Everett, Mass. -- the only other LNG terminal located in an urban area. "If you think this is a safe and secure process, come to my office sometime and watch the unloading," he said.

The security measures that are taken reflect how dangerous the cargo is, according to Lynch.

Studies have shown that a spillage of cargo from one-half of one of five holds on a tanker ship could result in a fire, scorching people and buildings on both sides of the shore, according to James A. Fay, a retired MIT professor, who also testified.

Fire Chief Stephen Rivard, of Somerset, voiced concerns of the potential adverse effect on Somerset. His concerns reached beyond the impact of a fire: if bridges are closed to allow the tankers to pass below, as they are in Boston, citizen access to hospitals will be limited, Rivard said.

Allowing increased tanker truck traffic will also create a burden on the area's roadways and infrastructure, he said.

The local impacts would stretch beyond state boundaries as tankers crept up the Rhode Island shoreline, according to Rhode Island State Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr., D-Bristol. He expressed concern for Roger Williams University students, whose school falls within the radius of a fire described by Fay, if a tanker had an accident or was attacked coming up the Rhode Island shoreline. "These are things that we don't need to have in Mount Hope Bay," he said. He has submitted a bill in the R.I. General Assembly to keep LNG tankers out of Mount Hope Bay.

The committee also heard from those who have repeatedly stated their opposition to the project: Mayor Edward M. Lambert Jr., City Councilor Joseph Camara, and representatives from local environmental groups.

Lambert spoke of the project's public safety risks, impact on the city's economic development, and cost to taxpayers. He also described the special navigational concerns posed by the Brightman Street Bridge, which is only slightly wider than an LNG tanker ship. "We hope and pray ... that the captain had a good night's sleep before he delivers that load," Lambert said.

Despite the opposition, Weaver's Cove held out its support for the project.

CEO Shearer described the need for LNG in the region and offered an explanation of Fall River's ability to fill that need from a geographical standpoint. He also addressed the threats posed by the tank, and whether Fall River has the resources to handle these potential dangers.

In discussing the threats, he moved to discredit Fay's studies, saying that Fay's models of LNG tankers bear little resemblance to the real thing. Fay's studies assume the tankers are weaker than they are, and therefore assumes a faster spill-rate and exaggerated fire, Shearer said.

As for the city's capability for handling the ships, he emphasized that bridges will not necessarily be closed -- that decision remains in the hands of the Coast Guard.

"Even if the bridges are closed, we will be able to manage the ship transit so that only one bridge will be closed at a time, permitting traffic to flow across the Taunton River," he said. "We are willing to consider making additional resources available to meet the community's legitimate needs, over and above the level of tax payments which we expect to make to the city," he said.

His comments did not reassure some residents. Josephine Sayward, 83, argued against the proposal. She said she has had two heart attacks, and has been lucky to get to the hospital promptly both times. Even closing one bridge could impede traffic, preventing residents of Somerset from getting to the hospital in time. "We can't spare that time."

To contact Jessica Resnick-Ault, phone 508-674-8401 or e-mail jraultXprojo.com.