The Center for Liquefied Natural Gas (CLNG), a trade association of LNG producers, shippers, terminal operators and developers, energy trade associations and natural gas consumers, defines itself as a clearinghouse of educational and technical information. The organization also facilitates rational discussion and the development of public policies that support LNG’s increasing contribution toward meeting America’s energy needs and supporting economic growth. Toward that end, CLNG has sponsored an educational video about LNG that aired on public television stations across the US beginning January 17. The five-minute video, titled “Spotlight On LNG,” is part of CLNG’s effort to enhance public education and understanding about LNG. The “Spotlight On LNG” video provides viewers with basic facts about LNG by explaining what LNG is, how it is used, and how LNG helps to meet America’s clean energy needs. Included in the video is a demonstration that shows how safe LNG is. In the demonstration, CLNG President, Bill Cooper safely extinguishes a burning cigarette in a beaker filled with LNG to illustrate that LNG is not flammable or explosive in its liquid state. In addition to showing the fallacy attached to LNG and its flammability, Cooper drinks from a glass of water into which he has just poured LNG. The second demonstration dispels the notion that LNG is a dangerous contaminant that will cause damage if spilled in the ocean. The LNG added to the glass of drinking water quickly disperses, leaving no residue. “The Spotlight On LNG” video provides the public with an educational overview of LNG. The obvious objective is to show that LNG is a very safe fuel. The CLNG group hopes the video will dispel some of the myths out there about this clean, safe and essential fuel. “With US LNG imports expected to increase through 2030, the public deserves to hear the unvarnished facts about a fuel source that will help to generate electricity, and warm and cool their homes for years to come,” Cooper said Additional videos on the site include “LNG: The Safe, Clean Energy Choice” and “LNG IQ.” I watched the “LNG IQ” video (which also is available on You Tube) and was surprised at how little Americans know about this fuel source. If the people in the video are truly representative, CLNG has its work cut out for it if it wants to educate people. The site also includes a number of animations. One animation, titled “What is LNG?” gives a straightforward definition that is comprehensible to a bright 8-year-old. "LNG is simply natural gas in its liquid form - it is the same natural gas more than 64 million American homeowners use every day. Natural gas is converted to LNG by cooling it to negative 260° Fahrenheit, until it becomes a liquid. This process reduces its volume by a factor of more than 600 - similar to reducing the volume of a beach ball to the volume of a ping-pong ball. This allows natural gas to be transported efficiently by sea." Other subjects on the animation page include: · Why we need LNG · The uses of natural gas · The safety and cleanliness of LNG · Where LNG comes from · How LNG is shipped safely · Tanker design information · Where the LNG ports in the US are · How LNG is converted back into gas · Pipelines and how gas gets to the consumer · The role of LNG in America’s future The important thing is that as an organization, CLNG is taking a very active role in informing the American public about a fuel that is relatively controversial. I don’t know how successful this campaign will be when it comes down to brass tacks, but it is obvious that CLNG is investing in changing the status quo. The rest of the oil and gas industry could take a page of out CLNG’s book. If the facts about offshore drilling were made this easily accessible to Americans, some of the resistance to drilling in areas where it is currently banned could be overcome. That is a particularly important concern at a time when the Presidential Withdrawal has been granted by one president, and another administration will determine whether to move forward or reinstate the ban on drilling. To watch the “Spotlight On LNG” video and to see other LNG videos and animations, visit CLNG’s video library at http://www.lngfacts.org/Media-Center/Photo-Videos.asp.