Pacific Pipeline and the City

I am extremely concerned about the city’s decision to pursue a lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission regarding the Pacific Pipeline franchise (“City to Continue Legal Battle Against Pipeline,” Oct. 2). What can be gained by this action? Does [Councilman Richard] Alarcon really think he’s protecting our community? If so then why does he not pursue Arco to close down and clean up the line that exploded in Mission Hills and to permanently close the line that runs through the heart of Pacoima along Bradley Street? Is that one safer than the Pacific Pipeline? Why is he silent on these issues when it comes to Arco? Sounds like a double standard to me.

STEVE MENA

Pacoima

* Much to my surprise, I find myself agreeing with Councilman Hal Bernson regarding his views on Public Utilities Commission [approval of] the Pacific Pipeline franchise and the city’s subsequent ill-conceived attempts to block the construction.

I live in the proximity of the Mobil Oil pipeline that runs along the Balboa Boulevard corridor. I don’t remember anyone coming up to me and asking if I’d like to participate in a community partnership project, and believe me, there are plenty of people who live in the mid-Valley area who could have benefited from it.

I think Pacific Pipeline has acted with incredible responsibility toward the affected neighborhoods. Can Arco or Mobil Oil say the same?

GARY DOUGLAS SMITH

Tarzana

* I feel I must respond to the perspective of the article concerning the city’s [lawsuits] to block construction of the Pacific Pipeline, especially since I was quoted. First of all, not only did the California Public Utilities Commission approve the project, so did the U.S. Forest Service and the Air Quality Management District. Nowhere in your article did you refer to the tons of air pollutants that will be eliminated by the pipeline. We could be significantly relieved by the reduction of air pollutants from the reduced numbers of the trucks and especially the trains.

We are all concerned about safety for our neighborhoods and children. An oil pipeline fracture is a far less menacing thought than a train derailment. And imagine the impact a train derailment would have along the Southern Pacific corridor, especially a mile-long train full of crude oil.

The technically superior choice, the most environmentally friendly choice and the only choice that had the people in mind when designing the community partnership program is the Pacific Pipeline. It deserved better treatment from the Los Angeles City Council.

CYNTHIA VALDEZ

Sun Valley