While it’s nice to keep terminals off our coast in the short-term, it doesn’t say much for our vision for the long-term if we want everyone else to risk their coastline to produce and refine oil products still needed to drive our economy while we won’t.
LNG facility lease denied
State Lands Commission's rejection of pipelines likely dooms the $800 million terminal in ocean off L.A.
By Jeremiah Marquez - Associated Press
Published 12:00 am PDT Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The State Lands Commission decided late Monday not to award a lease essential to a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal off the Southern California coast, citing environmental concerns.
In the 2-1 vote, commissioners complicated efforts by Australia's BHP Billiton LNG International Inc. to build an $800 million terminal in the ocean northwest of Los Angeles, about 14 miles off Malibu and about 20 miles off Oxnard. BHP officials have said the facility would provide a reliable source of low-polluting energy.
"I ... don't believe this project is going to be in the best interests of the state or its residents," said Commissioner John Chiang, who is also the state controller.
Commission Chairman John Garamendi, who is also the lieutenant governor, also voted against awarding the lease permit, while panelist Anne Sheehan, who represents state Finance Director Michael Genest, voted for it.
