BURBANK : Council Declines to Oppose Pipeline

The Burbank City Council has declined to oppose a major pipeline through the city, despite a dire warning from the fire chief that the $150-million project has the potential to become an “environmental catastrophe.”

A resolution opposing the 129-mile Pacific Pipeline was pulled off the consent agenda Tuesday, after representatives of the firm proposing the project asked for further talks on the topic.

“My opposition to this still stands,” Fire Chief Michael Davis said Wednesday. “I will oppose it vigorously.”

The planned underground pipeline would transport crude oil from Santa Barbara County and the San Joaquin Valley to refineries in Wilmington and El Segundo, passing through cities such as San Fernando, Burbank and Glendale.

Pacific Pipeline System, Inc., the Burbank-based company handling the project, faces mounting concerns from city officials and residents along the proposed route.

Los Angeles city officials adopted a resolution last year opposing the plan. The Glendale Fire Department is drafting a similar resolution to present soon to the Glendale City Council. And in East Los Angeles, residents and activists belonging to the Coalition Against the Pipeline have said they would sue to stop the project if necessary.

In a report to the Burbank City Council, Davis warned that the Pacific Pipeline has the potential to become an “environmental catastrophe” in the event of a rupture during an earthquake, train derailment or other type of accident.

The resolution presented Tuesday opposes the pipeline unless more safety measures are taken. Whether the resolution will be considered again by the Burbank City Council won’t be determined until at least January, after an updated environmental impact report on the project is completed.

“We got testimony indicating additional information that the proponents could provide that could alleviate the fire chief’s concerns,” Vice Mayor Dave Golonski said. “If that’s not the case, the council would back the fire chief and oppose this project.”

The project’s planners say the Pacific Pipeline is the safest and cleanest way to transport crude oil. Construction is set to begin late next year.

“There is a core of people who oppose any new project,” said Charles McLean of Pacific Pipeline Systems. “Anything to do with crude oil is criticized.”

Others say the underground pipeline--a portion of which will parallel Southern Pacific Railroad’s right of way in Burbank--is full of unforeseen hazards.

“New pipelines have better leak-detection systems, but there’s no 100% guarantee there will not be an accident or some sort of release,” said Linda Krop, acting chief counsel for the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara.