Backers, foes make familiar arguments at meeting over L.B. terminal.
LONG BEACH — A U.S. Coast Guard meeting Monday to hear concerns from the public on maritime safety and security of a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in the Port of Long Beach followed a pretty familiar pattern.
A group of residents opposed to the terminals denounced it as unsafe and a terrorist target while proponents touted the terminal's potential economic benefits and the good safety record of LNG terminals worldwide.
The meeting at the Long Beach Marriott was held for Coast Guard officials to gather testimony before giving recommendations to federal energy regulators on the suitability of the port for an LNG terminal.
Capt. Peter Neffenger, commanding officer for the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, called the hearing a step in evaluating the project's safety.
The Coast Guard serves an adviser to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is conducting a joint environmental review of the Long Beach LNG terminal with the port.
Neffenger's report will be included in the environmental review, which is expected to be released to the public this summer.
"A letter of recommendation doesn't imply that the Coast Guard is in favor of the project," Neffenger said. "It merely applies to the navigational suitability of the terminal."
In other words, would the harbor be able to safely accommodate vessels transporting LNG to a terminal in the port?
The Coast Guard will also review a safety and hazards analysis conducted by the developers — energy giants Mitsubishi and ConocoPhillips are equal partners — that would determine what resources are needed to protect the terminal and how those resources would be paid for.
"The city is concerned about the short-and long-term impacts to city resources," Long Beach Deputy Fire Chief Scott Giles said. "Do we have the necessary resources to mitigate impacts?"
Jerry Asplund, a former San Pedro Bay vessel pilot and president emeritus of the California Maritime Academy, said fear of the unknown is driving opposition.
"LNG is a safe product to transport, safer than some of the cargo that comes in on containers," he said. " … LNG has been given a bad rap."
Downtown resident Douglas Terrell asked how local officials planned to find the resources to police an LNG terminal when the city didn't have enough money to police a July 4 fireworks display. He also questioned the motives of those pushing the project.
"Aside from those who stand to make money from this deal, who's in favor of this?"
Written comments may be submitted to the Coast Guard until July 27. For information, call (310) 732-2020.
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