Get informed about LNG debate
Opponents and supporters must stay involved in approval process
09/27/2007
Over the next year, Ventura County residents, particularly those in Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Ventura will hear a lot about liquefied natural gas (See “Gloves Come off in LNG Dispute,” News, 9/20/07). As we have previously reported, NorthernStar Natural Gas has submitted its application to convert an offshore oil platform into an LNG receiving terminal.
Supporters of NorthernStar’s project and those opposed to LNG platforms off our coast both need to get heavily involved in the discussion. Those who believe their position truly is important to their community need to stand up and make themselves heard. While the company’s Clearwater Port project is closest to Ventura and would involve a pipeline that comes on shore in Oxnard, the project’s implications reach throughout the county and beyond. Neighboring communities like Malibu and Santa Barbara, which have tangled with past LNG proposals, need to either stand up and fight this proposal, or, if they find it serves their long term interests, express their support for it.
Although NorthernStar’s Clearwater Port proposal has been in the works in one form or another (backed originally by a different entity), news that the permitting process would go forward came only a few short months after another proposal to build an LNG platform, BHP Billiton’s Cabrillo Port, was defeated. To be sure, strong community opposition contributed to that defeat. But to claim that our entire community was united against BHP Billiton would be inaccurate. Activists had to battle with chamber of commerce officials, energy industry officials, some unions, and others who felt strongly that rejecting LNG meant rejecting a potential economic boon to the community and an opportunity to help the state’s energy crunch.
There is no doubt that the battle between Clearwater Port’s backers and LNG opponents could be just as bruising this time around. In fact, activists who cut their teeth on the Cabrillo Port project now have the experience they need to orchestrate a sustained, responsible, well-reasoned response. Meanwhile, NorthernStar Natural Gas has clearly learned the importance of engaging with the community early from observing BHP’s mistakes. The company has done its research, and, whether the community feels the effort is sincere or not, NorthernStar has made pains to differentiate itself from the prior proposal.
Both sides would be best served by remaining engaged in the public process. With scoping hearings for a draft environmental impact report set for Oct. 3 and 4 in Oxnard and Santa Clarita respectively, the community will have its first chance to tell permitting officials what they need to ask of Clearwater Port.
Whether one supports or opposes the project, it is reasonable to demand that a proposal is significant as an LNG terminal receives as much public scrutiny as possible. If you oppose liquefied natural gas, it is not responsible to expect that others will express your concerns for you. You need to fight your own battles.
If you support the project, don’t accept the millions NorthernStar has spent and will spend on feasibility studies and public relations as justification enough for your support.
“Gee, they wouldn’t spend lots of money on this project if it wasn’t good for the community,” does not stand up.
Instead, demand to see those feasibility studies, environmental documents and other information about the project so you can respond to opponents with well-supported arguments based on fact, not assurances from an out of state company (the same goes for opponents who might be swayed by charismatic politicians).
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