Jun. 6--LONG BEACH -- The city is expecting an overflow crowd at Tuesday's City Council meeting as council members consider ceasing negotiations with the probable operators of a proposed liquefied natural gas facility in the port, which has drawn widespread opposition from community members and environmentalists.

The council delayed a debate on the controversial proposal at its May 24 meeting, citing the need for more time to study the implications of such a project.

The terminal would receive tanker deliveries of supercooled natural gas in liquefied form and then warm it back to gas using fresh water. Critics of such facilities claim they are highly explosive and could endanger the lives of thousands of port workers and Long Beach residents living downtown and near the port.

A trio of City Council members has urged the full council to cease negotiations with Sound Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, which has proposed to build the Long Beach LNG facility.

Council members Frank Colonna, Bonnie Lowenthal and Rae Gabelich are also seeking the council's approval of a a resolution urging the Port of Long Beach to stop negotiations with Sound Energy Solutions. The Port of Long Beach has more authority on the facility than Long Beach.

The debate at City Hall comes as federal legislators consider adopting laws that would deny states control over where LNG sites are placed. The federal legislation would give authority of LNG sites to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The city will open the Long Beach Main Library's Auditorium, next to City Hall, in the event the Council Chambers' seats are filled to capacity. Those wishing to speak on the topic, or any topic being discussed at Tuesday's meeting, are advised that they must obtain speaker's cards from the city clerk and are limited to three minutes of speaking time.

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