WASHINGTON — Maryland and D.C. are joining 14 other states in an attempt to stop a new way of delivering natural gas that many fear is too risky.
The issue is allowing the transport of supercooled liquefied natural gas, or LNG, on specialized rail cars.
President Trump issued an executive order to allow the practice.
According to documents filed with the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration by Maryland's Attorney General, the objecting states claim moving LNG in railcars would put residents, first responders and the environment at greater risk of catastrophic accidents, especially since the gas might be moving on tracks used for passenger trains through cities.
The history of LNG is fraught with accidents including an early explosion in Cleveland in 1944 that killed 131 and leveled 79 homes.
But the US is using more natural gas than ever thanks to fracking and low prices.
Meanwhile, protests and environmental concerns are slowing down the construction of new pipelines.
Liquefying the natural gas into supercooled LNG for transport by rail is seen as an alternative, according to the Trump administration.
LNG advocates say the cooled LNG is very stable and safe to transport in approved tanks with appropriate precautions.
No D.C. region facilities have announced plans to take LNG deliveries by rail.
A terminal in Philadelphia has applied for a permit to take shipments, according to federal records.