Compressed Natural Gas Tank Being Installed
By Doug La Rocque
Rensselaer County Fire Coordinator Ivan Wager addressed the Berlin Town Board and members of the public this past week, concerning the use of and transportation of compressed natural gas. [private]
The construction of this part of the operation at the former Seagroatt’s Roses facility on Route 22 is well underway. Wager wanted to emphasize that compressed natural gas is much safer than propane and the storage of gas and diesel in tanks. He also said it is lighter than air, and if there were to be a leak or fire, the fire would take place above ground and burn out in 30 minutes.
Wager said he and AG Equipment, the company installing the operation, have met recently with NY State and Rensselaer County Fire Officials to discuss the use, storage and transportation of the product. They also met with the Berlin Fire Department. He hopes to schedule a meeting soon with the Fire Chiefs from North Hoosick to Stephentown to discuss procedures should there be a mishap in the trucking of the gas to Berlin. It will be loaded in New Hampshire, entering New York in Granville and proceeding down the Route 22 corridor. Wager said over the years there have been a couple of reported rollovers of these trucks, but there were no incidents of leaks or fire.
As far as on-site concerns, Wager said the system is computer monitored 24 hours a day to maintain the appropriate flow rates and if there were to be any leaks, the design would confine the leak to the boiler room and no other buildings.
An informational meeting for the Berlin Town Board and the general public is being planned for early January 2016. The meeting will most likely be held at the Berlin Fire Department.
The former Seagroatts facility was purchased earlier this year by Sustainable Aqua Farms, a New Jersey based company. They plan to convert the lower greenhouses into hydroponic lettuce production and raising of a number of species of fish for human consumption in the upper part of the facility. In all, it is hoped the new operation will result in about 55 new jobs.[/private]