Community News : TERMINAL ISLAND : City Settles Lawsuit Over Coal Storage Yard
Long Beach has agreed to drop its lawsuit against the Los Angeles Harbor Department, clearing the way for a proposed 120-acre storage yard for coal, petroleum coke and other coal byproducts on Terminal Island.
Under the settlement, the Port of Los Angeles will regularly monitor the emissions and report its findings to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The city’s lawsuit had alleged that dust from the new yard would threaten the health of Long Beach residents. The case was scheduled for trial March 3.
Councilman Alan S. Lowenthal, who led Long Beach’s challenge, said the AQMD will detect and solve any problems before they affect residents. Long Beach officials said dust-control measures, such as keeping the piles moist, will prevent health hazards.
The proposed $180-million yard eventually will store up to 20 million tons of coal and petroleum coke and allow the Los Angeles terminal to dominate the coal-export market. It is expected to be completed by 1996 and to bring about 5,900 jobs to the region.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
