Security Breach In Greater Boston Area: KeySpan LNG Storage Facility
LNG Tank Security Breach Eyed: Two Men Climbed Atop Lynn Tank
Being a native of the City of Lynn, where crime runs in waves and is a past-time for most of its children, I know the area well. Lynn is a city where its politicians fight with each other on an hourly basis, businesses are noted for screwing customers, and its public relations campaign has emphasized its history of being "first"... including holding first place in grand theft auto many years running and a history of one of the largest urban fires in history (ca. 1980s) and a pattern of urban renewal by way of arson.
This is a place where the KeySpan folks had an ammonia and LNG pressure release directly under high voltage electric wires and towers. While not a major petroleum storage area in comparison to the tanks bordering Winthrop, Chelsea, Revere, East Boston and Boston proper (known as "Gasoline Alley"), Lynn has its share of major chemical and HAZMAT issues to contend with, including large quantities of ammonia gas used for the West Lynn Creamery operations along the Lynnway (near the beach) and God only knows what at the local General Electric Plants (3 in total).
Lynn Police are busy all the time... just ask my Uncle Bruce that retired as a Captain from the force. So much so that security at these plants are pretty much left to the corporate entities that run them. Of course, KeySpan Energy, Commonwealth Edison and NStar are notorious for not having great security. Neither are the folks that run the storage tanks along "Gasoline Alley" or in the Boston Gas facilities along the expressway in Dorchester and "Southie."
While the intent of the two individuals that decided to climb the LNG tanks in Lynn was probably no less than a prank, a drunken dare or some other complete idiocy, their escapades and shenanigans point out an issue I have been discussing here for almost two years. We are at so great a risk from the lack of developing basic infrastructure and the priority layers of security that all the technology and intelligence that are being perpetrated by the federal government--in all manner of implementation--is useless and silly. If a terrorist wanted to really get to us, they could blow up a railroad tanker, a LNG tank, a nuclear plant, a chemical plant, a bridge, a tunnel or some other piece of unguarded infrastructure that we have totally ignored.
It appears, as is illustrated by the last couple of paragraphs in the story, that the ignorance and denial of the security holes continue.
Being a native of the City of Lynn, where crime runs in waves and is a past-time for most of its children, I know the area well. Lynn is a city where its politicians fight with each other on an hourly basis, businesses are noted for screwing customers, and its public relations campaign has emphasized its history of being "first"... including holding first place in grand theft auto many years running and a history of one of the largest urban fires in history (ca. 1980s) and a pattern of urban renewal by way of arson.
This is a place where the KeySpan folks had an ammonia and LNG pressure release directly under high voltage electric wires and towers. While not a major petroleum storage area in comparison to the tanks bordering Winthrop, Chelsea, Revere, East Boston and Boston proper (known as "Gasoline Alley"), Lynn has its share of major chemical and HAZMAT issues to contend with, including large quantities of ammonia gas used for the West Lynn Creamery operations along the Lynnway (near the beach) and God only knows what at the local General Electric Plants (3 in total).
Lynn Police are busy all the time... just ask my Uncle Bruce that retired as a Captain from the force. So much so that security at these plants are pretty much left to the corporate entities that run them. Of course, KeySpan Energy, Commonwealth Edison and NStar are notorious for not having great security. Neither are the folks that run the storage tanks along "Gasoline Alley" or in the Boston Gas facilities along the expressway in Dorchester and "Southie."
While the intent of the two individuals that decided to climb the LNG tanks in Lynn was probably no less than a prank, a drunken dare or some other complete idiocy, their escapades and shenanigans point out an issue I have been discussing here for almost two years. We are at so great a risk from the lack of developing basic infrastructure and the priority layers of security that all the technology and intelligence that are being perpetrated by the federal government--in all manner of implementation--is useless and silly. If a terrorist wanted to really get to us, they could blow up a railroad tanker, a LNG tank, a nuclear plant, a chemical plant, a bridge, a tunnel or some other piece of unguarded infrastructure that we have totally ignored.
It appears, as is illustrated by the last couple of paragraphs in the story, that the ignorance and denial of the security holes continue.
LYNN, Mass. -- A security breach at a liquefied natural gas storage facility in Lynn is under investigation after two people climbed to the top of a KeySpan tank.
Several months ago, NewsCenter 5's Sean Kelly reported, Team 5 began investigating the security cameras at LNG sites, specifically asking questions including: Who, if anyone, is actually watching the feed from the video cameras? And if they are watching, why does it take so long to respond?
The state ordered increased security at all LNG plants after two men cut the chain link fence at the Lynn tank and climbed on top of it last week. Police investigators were at the scene Wednesday taking pictures of the tank and a gate that was breached.
"My heating bill hasn't gone down, so I would think there would be as little money left over for security and protection for their neighbors and the people who pay their bills," said business owner Michael Mahoney.
Security cameras took pictures of the intruders, but they have not been caught. KeySpan reported the incident five days after it happened.
In April, Team 5 investigated security at other LNG facilities, including a site in Dorchester. Team 5 found no security officer at the gate, and it took about 10 minutes for someone to ask why a photographer was talking pictures of the facility.
"We are aware of the breach. We have notified all appropriate public safety authorities. We have been conducting an intensive internal review of our security. There is no damage to our facility," KeySpan said in a statement Wednesday.
That gives little comfort to neighboring business owners.
"My whole life savings is in this building and I would be freaked out if I'm within the crater that would be left. I would have to review my insurance coverage," said business owner David Zeller.
Lynn police has been contacted by KeySpan to provide on-site detail officers. The Lynn mayor said he has not talked to KeySpan directly, but he does not believe there is an added security risk.
posted by Jim Downey at 5:48 PM
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