Last week, federal and state agencies held a hearing in Malibu to consider the potential impact of a huge Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) storage and regasification plant, to be permanently moored in the ocean off of Malibu. Only two people from Malibu voiced their concerns. No City Council members were present. Ironically, this issue threatens to have a greater impact on the city than anything to be decided in the coming election. In contrast, last week 900 people protested a similar proposal in [the city of] Eureka. There, the developers immediately withdrew, citing a “lack of community support.” Perhaps you’ve heard that natural gas is comparatively clean and economical. True. Or that the pipeline from Billiton’s gas factory would come ashore in Oxnard, far from your home. But consider the following, all documented: the facility would be 15 miles from Point Dume, from where it would appear double the size of Santa Barbara Island. Prevailing winds and currents would put Malibu downstream of 24-hour air and water pollution. Supertankers, two every three days, would contribute additional pollution. The facility would be near a busy shipping lane; accidents are foreseeable. A disabled tanker could drift onto Malibu’s shore before rescue vessels arrived. The site is surrounded by ecologically-sensitive marine and coastal habitats. The sea bed pipeline would cross at least three active earthquake faults. There is some possibility of an exploding gas cloud releasing the energy of 50-plus Hiroshimas. The Department of Homeland Security ranks tankers and LNG facilities among the most likely targets of terrorism. That’s just the tip of an ominous iceberg. So far, Billiton is undeterred; but then, when “they” look at the ocean, they see an empty parking lot. Study the proposal: http://www.cabrilloport.ene.com. Look at the history of LNG explosions: http://www.timrileylaw.com/LNG.htm. Read the public comments on the federal docket: http://dms.dot.gov/search (search for “16877”). The deadline for comments is March 31. Ask questions and express your concerns. Otherwise, get used to calling yourself a “downwinder.”
Kraig M. Hill