LNG Facility Intruders go Unnoticed for Five Days
From the Boston Globe
By Raja Mishra
KeySpan guards failed to detect two intruders using wire cutters to break into the company’s liquefied natural gas facility in Lynn last week, a security breach that went undetected for five days because company officials failed to review a surveillance tape that captured the incident, state officials said yesterday.
State officials were sharply critical of the company’s actions in guarding the massive LNG tank, which is considered a potential terrorist target, and initiated an investigation that could result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
Once KeySpan officials saw the break-in on security camera footage on Monday, they immediately informed state law enforcement officials, who ordered heightened security at natural gas sites across the state, though they said there is no evidence the intruders were terrorists.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, LNG facilities became a focus of concern because of their vulnerability as potential terrorist targets.
State officials consider the facilities critical infrastructure because they satisfy important energy needs and also present a potential explosion risk. Still, the state leaves responsibility for security to the various private firms that run the facilities, with assistance from local police departments.
Although KeySpan said that no damage was done in Lynn, the incident raised new concerns about whether security there and at other LNG storage facilities is adequate.
“I am very troubled by this,” said US Representative Edward J. Markey, a Malden Democrat who is on the House Homeland Security Committee. “This incident raises serious questions about the adequacy of the perimeter security and surveillance monitoring in place at this facility.”
He called on the Romney administration to review security at LNG sites across the state.
Speaking for the administration, Michael Coelho, chief of staff of the state Executive Office of Public Safety, said local police departments in every town and city with a natural gas facility have been notified of the Lynn incident. He refused to list their locations.
The local police departments were ordered to increase the frequency of patrols at the sites, said Coelho. State officials also called the private companies that run the facilities to emphasize the need for tight security, he said.
State regulatory officials are investigating KeySpan’s Lynn facility to determine whether the energy firm failed to meet its security obligations, which could lead to fines of up to $50,000 for each day any lapses were present.
Each company is responsible for developing a security plan, which must be approved by the state Department of Telecommunications and Energy. The agency inspects the sites every two years to ensure compliance. But there are no plans to turn over any security responsibilities to state or local law enforcement, said an agency spokeswoman.
“It is private property, so the companies are responsible for security,” said Nicole St. Peter.
KeySpan owns nine LNG facilities around the state, with eight other private companies owning the rest, though state officials would not supply the total number of LNG facilities in the Bay State for security reasons.
In June, 15 undocumented immigrants working for a cleaning subcontractor were arrested after they took a shortcut through the Exxon-Mobil LNG facility in Everett without identification.
It remains unclear what security provisions were in place at the Lynn facility at the time of the break-in and why it took five days for the company to find out about it.
“We’re not happy about that at all, that there was that much of a delay,” Coelho said. “Internally something happened there that delayed notification. We’re investigating the matter.”
KeySpan officials refused to describe the facility’s security or the timeline of last week’s incident, citing security concerns.
“All of the issues with the timeline are under external and internal investigation, and I can’t comment any further,” said KeySpan spokeswoman Carmen Fields.
Asked about the facility’s security measures, Fields said: “We can’t talk specifically about our security measures before, during, or after the incident. I can say we have thoroughly evaluated the incident and are in close cooperation with all the relevant public security agencies and are cooperating fully.”
Proposals for expanded use of liquefied natural gas have proliferated in recent years as concerns about energy shortages and costs have grown. But many communities have opposed proposals to build new tanks or station natural gas tankers offshore.
The Lynn tank, built in 1971, holds more than 12,000 gallons of super-cooled liquefied natural gas. If released, it becomes a transparent and flammable gas.
Unhappy Lynn officials plan to question KeySpan officials about the incident at the City Council’s next meeting on Sept. 12.
“I am not pleased with Key-Span,” said Councilor Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell. “They have to come in with a new security plan.”
Lynn officials said teenagers have occasionally trespassed, and though security was stepped up after Sept. 11, some local officials said an upgrade may be in order.
Cuffe-O’Donnell and other councilors interviewed also said that KeySpan officials have been difficult to reach and have often refused to answer questions.
The security cameras at the Lynn facility captured the incident Aug. 16. The tape shows two intruders snipping through a perimeter chain-link fence with wire cutters, then climbing the tank, state officials said. They declined to release other details. No arrests have been made.
“What good are cameras if you’re not watching them?” asked Councilor Peter Capano, who represents the district containing the KeySpan site.
By Raja Mishra
KeySpan guards failed to detect two intruders using wire cutters to break into the company’s liquefied natural gas facility in Lynn last week, a security breach that went undetected for five days because company officials failed to review a surveillance tape that captured the incident, state officials said yesterday.
State officials were sharply critical of the company’s actions in guarding the massive LNG tank, which is considered a potential terrorist target, and initiated an investigation that could result in tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
Once KeySpan officials saw the break-in on security camera footage on Monday, they immediately informed state law enforcement officials, who ordered heightened security at natural gas sites across the state, though they said there is no evidence the intruders were terrorists.
After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, LNG facilities became a focus of concern because of their vulnerability as potential terrorist targets.
State officials consider the facilities critical infrastructure because they satisfy important energy needs and also present a potential explosion risk. Still, the state leaves responsibility for security to the various private firms that run the facilities, with assistance from local police departments.
Although KeySpan said that no damage was done in Lynn, the incident raised new concerns about whether security there and at other LNG storage facilities is adequate.
“I am very troubled by this,” said US Representative Edward J. Markey, a Malden Democrat who is on the House Homeland Security Committee. “This incident raises serious questions about the adequacy of the perimeter security and surveillance monitoring in place at this facility.”
He called on the Romney administration to review security at LNG sites across the state.
Speaking for the administration, Michael Coelho, chief of staff of the state Executive Office of Public Safety, said local police departments in every town and city with a natural gas facility have been notified of the Lynn incident. He refused to list their locations.
The local police departments were ordered to increase the frequency of patrols at the sites, said Coelho. State officials also called the private companies that run the facilities to emphasize the need for tight security, he said.
State regulatory officials are investigating KeySpan’s Lynn facility to determine whether the energy firm failed to meet its security obligations, which could lead to fines of up to $50,000 for each day any lapses were present.
Each company is responsible for developing a security plan, which must be approved by the state Department of Telecommunications and Energy. The agency inspects the sites every two years to ensure compliance. But there are no plans to turn over any security responsibilities to state or local law enforcement, said an agency spokeswoman.
“It is private property, so the companies are responsible for security,” said Nicole St. Peter.
KeySpan owns nine LNG facilities around the state, with eight other private companies owning the rest, though state officials would not supply the total number of LNG facilities in the Bay State for security reasons.
In June, 15 undocumented immigrants working for a cleaning subcontractor were arrested after they took a shortcut through the Exxon-Mobil LNG facility in Everett without identification.
It remains unclear what security provisions were in place at the Lynn facility at the time of the break-in and why it took five days for the company to find out about it.
“We’re not happy about that at all, that there was that much of a delay,” Coelho said. “Internally something happened there that delayed notification. We’re investigating the matter.”
KeySpan officials refused to describe the facility’s security or the timeline of last week’s incident, citing security concerns.
“All of the issues with the timeline are under external and internal investigation, and I can’t comment any further,” said KeySpan spokeswoman Carmen Fields.
Asked about the facility’s security measures, Fields said: “We can’t talk specifically about our security measures before, during, or after the incident. I can say we have thoroughly evaluated the incident and are in close cooperation with all the relevant public security agencies and are cooperating fully.”
Proposals for expanded use of liquefied natural gas have proliferated in recent years as concerns about energy shortages and costs have grown. But many communities have opposed proposals to build new tanks or station natural gas tankers offshore.
The Lynn tank, built in 1971, holds more than 12,000 gallons of super-cooled liquefied natural gas. If released, it becomes a transparent and flammable gas.
Unhappy Lynn officials plan to question KeySpan officials about the incident at the City Council’s next meeting on Sept. 12.
“I am not pleased with Key-Span,” said Councilor Loretta Cuffe-O’Donnell. “They have to come in with a new security plan.”
Lynn officials said teenagers have occasionally trespassed, and though security was stepped up after Sept. 11, some local officials said an upgrade may be in order.
Cuffe-O’Donnell and other councilors interviewed also said that KeySpan officials have been difficult to reach and have often refused to answer questions.
The security cameras at the Lynn facility captured the incident Aug. 16. The tape shows two intruders snipping through a perimeter chain-link fence with wire cutters, then climbing the tank, state officials said. They declined to release other details. No arrests have been made.
“What good are cameras if you’re not watching them?” asked Councilor Peter Capano, who represents the district containing the KeySpan site.
posted by John Chadwell | 6:52 AM
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