Mobil Pipeline
As president of the Los Angeles Board of Transportation Commissioners, I find it incumbent to respond to the article by Laura Lake regarding the recent approval of the replacement of the Mobil Oil M-70 pipeline (Commentary, April 28). Lake did not accurately or responsibly portray the depth of environmental review and public input that eventually led to the commission’s approval of the replacement of this aging, leak-prone pipeline. Furthermore, contrary to her claim that this pipeline replacement will imperil the health of our air basin and our children’s well-being, the project will actually improve safety and reduce air pollutant emissions.
The Mobil Oil M-70 pipeline is an existing facility that carries crude oil from Kern County oil fields to the Mobil refinery in Torrance. Portions of the pipeline are more than 50 years old and it has experienced a number of damaging leaks in recent years. The environmental document identified that the existing pipeline has a 99.8% chance of experiencing a break in the next five years. The new replacement line will have state-of-the-art safety devices and anti-corrosion coatings and only a 10.5% expectation of a break in a five-year period.
The proposed pipeline replacement and the environmental document, which evaluates the project, are the product of over two years of meetings and public hearings that began in March, 1989. Since November, 1990, the U.S. Forest Service has also participated in evaluating the project. All of the cities, counties and public agencies affected by this project have been consulted and most provided input.
Because members of the Transportation Commission are very aware and concerned about the potential for environmental impacts from this type of project, we attended public meetings, held our own public hearings, reviewed the voluminous environmental documents, questioned independent experts, personally toured sensitive parts of the route and discussed the matter with affected City Council offices and other agencies. After thorough review the commission unanimously certified the Environmental Impact Report and approved the replacement of that portion of the pipeline within Los Angeles.
The board did its homework and took a responsible position in the interest of all the citizens of Los Angeles.
MARIAN G. BROOME, President
Board of Transportation Commissioners
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