SAN FERNANDO : Politics Fuels Debate Over Burst Pipeline

In a dispute that both sides say is motivated by the upcoming San Fernando City Council elections, council members have been tussling with members of the city’s Transportation and Safety Commission over whether the commission can influence city policy regarding the right to address the ruptured Four Corners Oil Pipeline.

The 130-mile pipeline burst and caught fire next to O’Melveny Elementary School, just outside of the San Fernando city limits, during the Northridge earthquake, seriously burning one man and charring 17 cars and a house.

At issue is whether the commission or the council has the right to hold hearings and recommend policy regarding the future of the line. Two members of the safety commission, Ed Guzman and John Becker, have charged that the City Council has prevented them from addressing the ruptured pipeline to keep them from gaining public attention. Both are running for City Council seats in the April 12 election.

“If you look at our duties and powers, safety is part of our responsibility, and this is a safety issue,” Becker said.

The City Council members, three of whom are running for reelection, have said that the safety commission is overstepping its boundaries by trying to address the pipeline issue, and they are considering narrowing the commission’s scope.

“Perhaps they don’t understand what their duties are as commissioners,” said Mayor Dan Acuna, who is seeking his third consecutive term. “Or perhaps they, as candidates for office, are trying to stir something up.”

Although the fire occurred outside the city and the pipeline only passes through about one mile of San Fernando, it has ignited a fierce debate, becoming the hottest issue in the City Council campaign.