RICHARD NAVA
News Assistant
Malibu residents have banned together to oppose a new Liquid Natural Gas station being built 14 miles off the coast of Ventura County, eight miles north of campus on Pacific Coast Highway.
BHP Billiton Petroleum Inc., is currently trying to gain approval to build a LNG station, Cabrillo Port, to be used to receive imported LNG and store the natural fuel in an above water-terminal.
Local residents are concerned about the proposed terminal because of the possible effects it may have on the environment, economy and air quality of the area. Among these residents are a list of celebrities who are fighting against BHP, including Pierce Brosnan.
“This LNG project poses significant and potentially irreversible negative impacts to our coast, our environment and to the health and safety of our families,” Brosnan said in a letter on his official Web site.
Brosnan has been joined in his efforts to stop the LNG terminal by such celebrities as Danny DeVito, Cher, Barbra Streisand and Dr. Jane Goodall. The group of residents say they have reason to believe the project will add to the smog and pollution problem in addition to becoming a target for terrorist attacks.
“This floating LNG terminal will emit more than 200 tons of smog-producing pollutants per year in an area long known for high occurrences of asthma in both children and adults,” Brosnan wrote. “Additionally, it is estimated that the project as a whole will emit 25,000,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, further contributing to global warming.”
BHP, however, states the contrary. Patrick Cassidy, director of public affairs for BHP Billiton, said the LNG terminal will not only follow all legislation relating to pollution, but that it will in fact help to reduce the growing problem.
“The facility’s location 14 miles off the coast to the closest point to shore, the design of operation, which minimizes impacts to air and water, and the technology employed will provide for a resource that will comply or exceed all applicable requirements of the Clean Air Act and will improve the environment in the safest manner possible,” Cassidy said.
The terminal will also, according to BHP, improve the air quality of the region by the nature of the project.
Thomas Biglow, Malibu resident, seems to be in the minority of the community as he is in favor of Cabrillo Port.
“California needs to diversify its energy sources if we want to escape future energy crises” Biglow said.
Biglow said he felt the cost of the possible damage to the local ecosystem was outweighed by the benefits, both economically and otherwise, that the community stands to gain if the terminal is built. According to BHP, Ventura County alone will gain $25.5 million annually into their economy as a result of the LNG station.
But still, some residents are skeptical.
“The good and the bad cancel each other out,” said Malibu resident Hannah Goldman. “What good is it to build a plant to reduce pollution while it’s adding to the pollution we already have?”
If the Malibu residents are unable to intervene, BHP is scheduled to gain approval to build Cabrillo Port this December. Information about the terminal is available at the BHP Billiton Web site, and those interested in signing a petition against Cabrillo Port may do so at the www.PierceBrosnan.com.
10-05-2006