If an LNG terminal can go here, it can go anywhere.

The FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) has looked favorably, so far, on siting an 85 million gallon LNG terminal in Long Beach. Consider that:

  • it will be immediately between two active earthquake faults
    • where geological evidence shows earthquake shock waves can be "amplified" by the terrain
  • it will be put on landfill on an artificial island
  • in a liquefaction zone that is also
  • a subsidence zone
  • it will be the tallest structure for miles,
  • in a location which is a known tsunami risk area, where
    • tsunamis could come from remote Pacific locations (with ample warning), or
    • could be generated nearby, with less than ten minutes warning
  • is located near several major oil refineries
  • is close to dozens of hazardous and volatile material storage facilities
  • is in the nation's busiest and most economically important port
  • that could make it a highly attractive terrorist target
  • is near a population of more than 250,000 people
  • some of which has poor and limited evacuation routes in the event of a disaster

Map of hazards near proposed LNG site

Terminal Island, in San Pedro Bay, California, is home to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The LNG facility is sited on the Long Beach side.

If they can put an LNG terminal here, they can put one anywhere!

For the Bush administration, Long Beach is an excellent test case. There's so much wrong with this site, if the FERC manages to get this site built, there's they can pretty much put one anywhere. It could help open the doors for some 40 additional LNG import terminals on the west, east and gulf coasts.

There are two things we need to do. (1) Keep the decision making local and out of this federal government's hands. (2) Make sure that our local municipal and state officials support renewable energy instead of LNG.

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2005.03.22