Page 7 - aruba-today-20221027

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local Thursday 27 OcTOber 2022
Group Against Gas Pipe urges the government and Eagle LNG to

install the LNG tank in Barcadera

ORANJESTAD – Recently in the lo- some areas, the intention is to dig areas. Representatives of Eagle consideration to minimize all the
cal news, the issue of the switch the road in front of houses to lay LNG told those they visited that the risks for the residential neighbor-
from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to liquid the pipe. Eagle LNG says that this pipes are similar to the gas lines hoods by putting the tank for the
natural gas (LNG), so that WEB Aru- process is very safe and does not running in Dutch and American gas right next to WEB Aruba NV it-
ba NV can use it to generate en- carry risks for the residents and their cities. However, this is not correct self, in Barcadera. The Barcadera
ergy for NV Elmar Aruba has been homes. because this is talking of a distribu- quay will be expanded so that
prominent. LNG will be healthier tion pipe. In Aruba, the only place the LNG ships can dock there and
for people and environment, and But from information received and where there will be a gas distribu- transfer the gas from a pipe to the
will reduce the price of water and investigated online by the residents tion pipe will be at WEB Aruba NV tank. WEB Aruba NV even gave in-
electricity. themselves, it turns out that the itself, distributing for the machinery. formation sessions (roadshows) in
placement of gas pipe under the 2018 and 2019, but sadly this plan
Utilities Aruba N.V., representing surface carries great risk. The pipe The system is comparable to the was cancelled in February 2021.
the government of Aruba, gave running from the refinery to WEB pipes for kitchen gas (LPG). But
the American company Eagle Aruba NV will be a pipe for trans- for WEB Aruba NV to get this gas Not against LNG
LNG from Texas the mandate to mission of gas, which is under a lot (which will later need to pass The group clarifies that they are
execute the plan for this proposed of pressure. The pressure is neces- through the distribution lines) it will not against LNG. They also see the
switch. This is a secret contract sary for WEB to maintain its equip- require a bigger pipe, which then benefits of LNG, but they are ex-
bound by a non-disclosure agree- ment in continuous functioning. comes with a higher pressure and tremely concerned for our people,
ment, negotiated y Eagle LNG. All a lot more gas (higher mass) from our homes and our neighborhoods
information in this contract regard- A group of citizens calling itself RdA. It is these pipes with a higher in case that the project for the gas
ing how, when, who, and the risks, Group Against Gas Pipe (Grupo mass of gass that will pass by, be- pipe continues in the way Eagle
etc, in this contract are not avail- Contra Tubo di Gas), residents in low and surely close to people’s LNG intends. They will do every-
able to anyone. the area of Balashi, Pos Chikito, Sa- homes, retirement home Huize thing they can to avoid a gas pipe
vaneta and Cura Cabay, say they Maristella, schools and places fre- from running through residential
Eagle LNG began with information came together to demand that quented by many tourists, accord- zones.
sessions for interested residents and Eagle LNG and the government of ing to the group of citizens.
began visiting homes in the perti- Aruba recognize and guarantee A leak, a spark and you can have
nent neighborhoods, with repre- their right to live in peace, without Not a lot of details are known, and an explosion of 33 meters around
sentatives from Eagle LNG talking fear for their safety and without los- this is also the reason why Marinier- the point of explosion or a length
about the placement of gas pipes ing the value of their property. For skazerne – the Dutch army base in of 66 meters. This means an entire
in resident’s streets or general area. this reason they are urging Eagle Aruba – cannot give approval for neighborhood would be wiped off
LNG and the government to install the pipes to run through its land the map, with enormous conse-
In the past, Eagle LNG spoke of the LNG tank in Barcadera and until it receives specifications from quences for human life and prop-
placing a gas pipe on the surface, limit the risk to their neighborhoods. Eagle LNG, something that has not erty. Eagle LNG on its own website
from the refinery RdA to WEB Aruba This is based on investigation by taken place yet. says that when there is a gas leak,
NV on the same route where cur- their own experts. an area of 100 meters needs to be
rently there are three pipes. This And now the citizens found out evacuated. How can this be done
plan changed, and now Eagle According to Dutch and American that WEB Aruba NV itself is working effectively, if there are so many
LNG wants to dig a tunnel to place norms, a gas transmission pipe is on a plan to use LNG. Already ex- houses around the pipe?, the
the gas pipe under the surface. In not allowed to go under inhabited perts from WEB Aruba NV took into group concludes.q