Nevertheless, the two massive white cylinders seen off of Paterson Plank Road in Carlstadt’s Meadowlands are tanks holding nearly two billion cubic feet of liquefied natural gas at any given time. The recent foiled plot of four alleged would-be terrorists targeting fuel pipelines and gas tanks leading to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has definitely shined new light on possible areas of concern in our homeland infrastructure vulnerability and protection. The tanks are owned by Williams’, a natural gas conglomerate based in Tulsa, OK. Sitting in our own backyard, they signify the near end of one of the largest natural gas pipelines in the entire nation and supply hundreds of thousands in the metropolitan area with energy. The pipeline, Williams’ Transco runs 10,500 miles from South Texas to New York City, feeding energy companies all along its route. The Carlstadt tanks are only one of three storage tank stations of its kind in the three separate Williams’ pipelines that run the length of much of the country.

Plant security

On 9/11, Carlstadt emergency crews, like many in the Northern New Jersey region were at the World Trade Center site or on call across the Hudson River tending to the thousands of victims who were expected dead or injured. Some emergency and police crews, however, were on active duty in the borough, keeping watch on the Williams’ tanks as it was deemed that day a viable target under the uncertainty of the attacks that had impacted us in Washington D.C. and New York City.

"Williams already works diligently with local, state and federal government agencies and industry organizations to ensure we’re taking all logical steps to protect the public, our employees and our facilities from potential threats," said Chris Stockton, a spokesman for Williams’ Transco division. "Since 9/11, Williams’ has worked with the Department of Homeland Security to develop additional security guidelines, conduct risk assessments and implement additional enhanced security measures."

The Carlstadt plant itself covers a massive 300-plus acre swath. Of that, 37 acres are fenced in, the portions containing the actual infrastructure. According to Stockton, a total of 26 employees work at the facility and it is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although specifics on certain security measures could not be furnished, Stockton did say the entire pipeline including areas around the Carlstadt tanks are patrolled daily by air, vehicle and foot for signs of encroachment. In addition, as witnessed by the South Bergenite last year on a police ride along, local law enforcement patrols pass by the facility as police do rounds in the industrial section of the borough.

As have the representatives of the Buckeye Pipeline Co., the owners of the system that feeds JFK, Stockton said an attack would not be widespread as preventative safety measures within the natural gas system are already implemented.

"All of our pipelines already have automatic shut off valves which will isolate the line and shut off the flow of gas if a sharp decrease is detected," said Stockton.

For some local officials, the security measures in place do not offer enough consolation.

"I would doubt anyone could get in there on the ground, it’s fenced, you need clearance. Even contractors going in there need clearance, but it’s so damn easy to get up in the air right now," said Carlstadt Councilman Craig Lahullier.

Local concern

From fire departments fighting frequent blazes in the Meadowlands and fear of the fires reaching the tanks, to local officials who fear residents will someday live near them, there is always some level of concern aimed toward the tanks in Carlstadt.

"Right now, I think as far as safety issues, we would have some problems with some of the industrial buildings down there if there was a disaster at the tanks, but putting housing down there would be a catastrophe," said Lahullier.

Lahullier and the rest of the borough’s governing body has used the presence of the Williams’ tanks as a tool for arguing against the massive 840-unit Tomu development that has been proposed for the banks of the Hackensack River off of Outwater Lane.

"I think these tanks are there for good, so putting several hundred units a couple hundred yards away, they would have to be out of their minds," he said. "They said the airport [Teterboro] was there first, yet they continued to build up around there and it’s absurd. As far as the tanks go, I can’t see building around there."

Stockton said, if the Tomu site were to be built, the residents would be informed of its purpose and the safety measures put in place to protect them.

"We have a robust public education program which provides pipeline safety information annually to residents living up to 1200 feet away from the pipeline," he said. "Depending on their proximity to the line, those residents would receive annual safety info."

Safety and essential infrastructure

The Williams’ Carlstadt site is considered important because it is known as a holding station or "peaking facility" for when the company is pumping gas at full capacity to local energy utilities from the Gulf of Mexico to the metropolitan area. On the coldest days of winter, Carlstadt proves vital in its’ supply to buyers, PSE&G, Key Span, Con Edison, South Jersey Gas Company, New Jersey Natural and many more with a safety net for sufficient supplies.

"I don’t have natural gas, but I know people that do and if those tanks blew, I bet a lot of people would be left in the cold," said Secaucus resident John McGarthur, who frequents the Meadows for nature walks. "I really haven’t paid attention to them to much, but maybe people should start questioning how safe they really are."

Williams’ has had a good track record in Carlstadt, experiencing no incidents that caused injury. The tanks are constructed in two sections. An inner tank that actually holds the natural gas in its liquefied state is constructed of nickel steel while the protective outer tank is made of carbon steel. The pipes that comprise the pipeline system are labeled with markers above ground and utilize a Cathodic protective system.

"The single greatest cause of pipeline accidents is damage from outside forces, such as excavation equipment," said Stockton. "Accidents are caused less frequently by internal or external corrosion."

However, the company has had prior incidents elsewhere. In October 2005 for example, Williams’ employees struck the company’s own 36-inch natural gas pipeline in Chantilly, VA. The result released natural gas into the air of the populated neighborhood and evacuated 850 school children and residents in the vicinity. The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration fined Williams’ $600,000.