Port’s policies

Re “Suit Focuses on L.A. Port’s Use of Funds,” Aug. 14

The Port of Los Angeles’ own risk-management report, completed in 1982, calls for the relocation of hazardous liquid bulk facilities in order to protect public safety. I question the validity of Executive Director Geraldine Knatz’s assertion that “hazardous footprints over the community” have since been eliminated and that this was achieved by changing the types of shipments the liquid bulk facilities handle. It would have been helpful if Knatz had cited a report, study or policy to substantiate this claim. Perhaps Knatz is under the impression that the only liquid bulk shipments currently being handled at the Port of Los Angeles are those containing salad oil.

KATHLEEN WOODFIELD

San Pedro

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The Port of Los Angeles’ vision to create an energy island on Pier 400 is still possible. Pacific Energy Partners has proposed what would be the first crude-oil import facility on the pier. The oil terminal project is now in the environmental-impact report stage of development. In fact, the harbor channel was dredged years ago for this exact purpose.

This terminal would be the first on the West Coast to accept the largest and most efficient fully loaded tankers, significantly expanding our region’s ability to import the volume of crude oil necessary to meet Southern California’s increasing demand.

DAVID E. WRIGHT

Executive Vice President

Pacific Energy Partners

Long Beach