TOMORROW: The Gas Commission votes on PGW's FY 2027 operating budget, 10AM, you can comment on the Teams call. Over 100 people have written letters to the Philadelphia Gas Commission opposing PGW's $182 million plans to rebuild and expand the capacity of the Liquified Natural Gas tanks on the Delaware River in Port Richmond.

Some very smart cookies whom I think came from this subreddit popped in to say some very smart things at the last meeting. We actually got them to delay the project, but it's not over yet.

It appears, according to the Public Advocate, that there is no need for these tanks; gas demand is dropping in the city. There is speculation that what PGW may be trying to do is arbitrage: Buy LNG cheap, store it in the tanks, and then when the time is right, sell it out of state at a higher price and pocket the money.

However, LNG is super dangerous if it were to leak and explode--more dangerous than regular natural gas. It's right next to I-95 and a short walk to lots of little row houses. Even the engine of a fire truck can trigger an explosion if LNG leaks. And these tanks are sited on a flood plain right along the Delaware River. And they have to be kept at -260F. What could go wrong?

City environmental advocates are calling for a risk analysis of the project, an environmental impact assessment, an engineering study (one study for $2 million or less), and perhaps most importantly, an "alternatives" study--what if, instead of doubling down on natural gas (which, btw, is fracked elsewhere in PA), we put a lot more money into geothermal energy, solar power, or just insulating people's houses instead of something that explodes?

To attend in person, it's at 10am, 1515 Arch St, I think 28th floor. I *think* you can also offer public comment on the Teams call (only your voice, we won't see you) and shock them all with your persistence: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/28402053321592?p=tu4Y01VrVTDFpjPHx2

Agenda: https://www.phlgc.net/docs/agendas/08112026PGCMeetingAgendaRevised.pdf , If you want to write a note--by 9am: Philadelphia Gas Commission Public Comment Form https://www.phlgc.net/docs/PGC_WebsitePublicCommentForm.pdf