Liquefied Natural Gas

LNG is a clear liquid that is odorless, colorless, non-corrosive and non-toxic. LNG is natural gas that has been super cooled to a liquid at -260°F (-162.2°C). LNG reduces its volume by more than 600 times, making it more practical for storage and transportation. Before LNG can be used as a fuel, it must be warmed and turned back into a gas.

The Metropolitan Utilities District uses the LNG storage for use during periods of peak natural gas demand (“peakshaving”) or as a base load source of natural gas. LNG is the same natural gas that we use in our homes for heating and cooling - except that, prior to being sent into pipelines, it is transported and stored in liquid form, rather than as a gas.

Like all natural gas, LNG is cleaner than coal or oil, and it offers an opportunity to diversify energy supplies.

America's energy strength lies in the abundance and diversity of its energy resources. Natural gas use is expected to increase over the next 20 years, while production of natural gas is predicted to grow at a slower rate. To ensure abundant, affordable, reliable natural gas for American consumers, LNG will be playing an ever-increasing role in the gas sector.

It is predicted that by 2025, LNG will provide almost 17-percent of US demand. (Other new sources of supply include Alaska and the Rocky Mountain States.)

For more information about LNG visit energy.gov.

Storage regulations

All LNG storage facility designs must comply with stringent regulations as required by the Department of Transportation’s safety standards in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 193 – Liquefied Natural Gas Facilities: Federal Safety Standards and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 59A - Standard for the Production, Storage and Handling of LNG.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission), provides useful information to citizens regarding the nature of LNG, the review process used by FERC staff in analyzing proposed LNG facilities, and how to participate in the review process. For additional information contact:

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Office of External Affairs
888 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20426
202-502-8804
1-866-208-3372 (toll free)
202-502-8371 (TTY)