Pipeline Controversy

Backers of the proposed Pacific Pipeline- which cuts across the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles- insists their plan to carry crude from oil fields in southern Kern County to refineries in El Sequndo and Wilmington is safer than transporting oil by truck or ship. The arguments have not persuaded the Los Angeles City Council, which has ordered its lawyers to challenge the $170- million project in court if state regulators approve the plan without adequately addressing the city’s concerns.

The council is worried that 75% of Los Angeles’ water supply could be contaminated if the pipeline bursts near the city’s main aqueducts and reservoir near Sylmar. And no one wants a repeat of the inferno that erupted in San Fernando after an aging oil pipeline broke in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

The council would decide whether its concerns were properly addressed by the California Public Utilities Commission, which will consider the pipeline proposal April 10. An administrative law judge for the commission recommended approval earlier this month. Councilman Richard Alarcon, stating that it would run through the poorest communities in Los Angeles, called the pipeline “a classic case of environmental injustice.”

To help persuade skeptics, owners of Pacific Pipeline System Inc.-which includes Chevron, Texaco, and Unocal- have agreed to establish 100 computer centers at various locations throughout the Los Angeles Basin that would be available for community use.

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The Debate

Pro

Computer Linkup

Pipeline checked three times every second for pressure, temperature, flow and seismic motion. Information is relayed via a fiber- optic cable that runs above the pipeline to a location near Dodger Stadium staffed by crews 24 hours a day.

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Shut- off Valves

Shut- off valves are located about every two miles. A fail- safe system that employs stored energy from nitrogen would automatically shut off valves if a leak is detected, even in the event of a power outage.

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Earthquake Safety

Designed to shut off at 6.0 magnitude earthquake or greater. Extra length of pipe is installed to provide slack so it will be flexible during an earthquake.

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Special Design

Polyethylene cover: protects insulation from elements.

Polyurethane Insulation: helps pipe retain heat to maintain even oil flow.

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Con

* 75% of Los Angeles water supply could be contaminated if a rupture occurred near the city’s main aqueducts and reservoir near Sylmar.

* Fear of a repeat inferno like the one that erupted near a San Fernando elementary school after an aging oil pipeline broke in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

* No demonstrated need for the pipeline. Oil that would be in the Pacific Pipeline is now transported by truck, train and ship.

* There are other alternatives using existing pipelines.

* Pipeline runs through poorest communities of Los Angeles.

* A state- mandated $100- million insurance coverage might not be enough to cover all damage claims in the event of a major spill.

* Close proximity to numerous homes and schools.

* Impact of air quality during construction.

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Pipeline Facts

* Length of pipeline: 132 miles.

* Depth: Ranges from 5 to 7 feet.

* Capacity: 2,000 barrels per mile.

* Volume: 130,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

* Cost: $170 million

* Time for one barrel to travel from Kern County to El Segundo / Wilmington: 2 1/2 days.

* Speed of oil flow: 2 to 3 mph.

* Pipeline owners: Chevron, Texaco, Unocal and the Anschutz Co.

Source: Pacific Pipeline Systems, Inc., Pacific Pipeline Project environment impact statement; Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times