Ventura County Criticizes Off-Shore Gas Plant Policies

Responding to safety concerns, Ventura County supervisors Tuesday called on state and federal authorities to better coordinate policies for approving off-shore liquefied natural gas facilities.

Policies now in place are often vague or contradictory, supervisors said, making it difficult to regulate where the energy facilities can be built. The board plans to send a unanimously approved resolution to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and federal officials asking for clarification.

Two deep-sea LNG terminals off the Ventura County coast have been proposed in recent months. Developers say the energy source would supply California with more than 10% of the natural gas needed to fuel power plants and heat homes.

But both proposed terminals have been hit with stiff resistance from local residents, who worry about the potential for accidents or terrorism. On Tuesday, several speakers urged the supervisors to make their voices heard.

“Our health, welfare and safety are not for sale,” said Bill Terry of Oxnard, where one facility is proposed 14 miles off shore. “This affects everyone in Ventura County , not just Oxnard.”

Key agencies in approving the plants include the Coast Guard and the state Lands Commission. But local authorities will exert some control over pipelines, which would deliver the natural gas to distributors, the supervisors noted.

Supervisor Judy Mikels acknowledged the resolution “won’t carry a lot of weight” with state and federal officials. But it is important to let the permitting agencies know where the board stands, she said.

“We do deserve a position during the process,” she said.