New Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facility Proposal in Oxnard, California

When natural gas is cooled down to a very cold minus 260 degrees Farenheit, it becomes a liquid called Liquefied Natural Gas or LNG. The gas is actually imported from several countries throughout the world and brought to the United States in a reinforced two hulled ship with a special cold chamber to keep the gas liquid. The ships can be a thousand feet long and are capable of traveling across the seas.

Most of the LNG comes from countries like Australia, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia and several others. Throughout the world, there are only 40 terminals that are designed to accept LNG and there is a proposal to create a port off the coast of southern California in Oxnard in Ventura County, about 30 miles from Los Angeles. This port would be located a few miles off the coast. The United States already has some terminals in other states, but with energy at a premium, another terminal is believed to be necessary.

Once the LNG tankers dock at the terminal, the LNG is transferred into special tanks that keep the temperature cold enough so it will remain liquid. Pressure in the tanks has to be released when the vapor builds up, otherwise it could explode since the vapor is flammable when mixed with air in a percentage range of 5 to 15 percent. The vapor is collected and used as natural gas. When the LNG in the tanks is needed, it is warmed up and turned back into a gaseous state, then piped to where ever it's needed. Since natural gas is a clean burning fuel, it's preferred over more polluting fuels like gasoline, coal or oil.

Due to limited supplies of natural gas, the United States gets most of its LNG from other countries and researchers believe that another facility on the west coast is warranted to meet demands. However, due to the potential risk involved, the residents and conservation groups around southern California, especially in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, have raised complaints that if a flammable gaseous vapor cloud could escape from the delivery ship or the LNG terminal facility, it could drift for several miles over the cities of Ventura County. This would pose a health and safety risk to the residents should it ignite. Some estimates say that an explosion could destroy an area of about 50 miles. The gas is capable of exploding when exposed to a spark from any type of source.

As with any major project that stands a chance of affecting the environment, an environmental document called an Environmental Impact Statement/Report or EIS/EIR, is required. This document is developed to take into consideration all possible alternatives and environmental impacts. It also allows for a public notification and public comment period, after which it is presented to the appropriate agencies for approval. The LNG facility proposal in Oxnard had reached the final EIS/EIR stage in March 2007 with a hearing that was scheduled by the California Coastal Commission on April 12, 2007. The Coastal Commission voted to reject the proposal. On April 9, 2007, the California State Lands Commission rejected the 30 year lease and didn't certify the EIS, stating that it did not meet the requirements of CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act).