By Jillian Farrel -- February 3, 2010
The Coast Guard said Tuesday they would allow Yemeni tankers filled
with natural gas into the Boston Harbor, even though the country poses terrorist concerns.
Shipments to Everett could begin later this month, which drew major concern from Mayor Thomas Menino. He said in an interview "this is all about a commercial enterprise." In addition, he said, "I'm about helping protect people's property and lives. They're saying they will be as safe as any other LNG ship. I say they will be as unsafe as any LNG ship."
Menino and officials have rejected the plan because of the failed Christmas Day attempt to blow up a US airliner in Detroit. The suspect of that case is a Nigerian man, who was trained in Yemen.
Distrigas has signed a twenty year contract with a Yemeni supplier and expects to bring 30 shipments a year to its Everett plant. Distrigas' spokeswoman Carol Churchill said the company, which provides twenty percent of New England's natural gas on a typical day, is actually pleased with the decision.
To alleviate terrorist concerns, Churchill said the ships operate at an "enhanced security level" with safety plans that meet international safety standards. There is also a second security point between Yemen and the United States.
In the past, Al-Qaeda operatives had entered the United States by hiding in LNG tankers. Even though Menino has pushed for an offshore site where LNG can be unloaded, he believes that the enhanced safety measures are not sufficient.
