My Reaction to Governor's Rejection of Billiton's Proposed Ventura County LNG Terminal

by Assemblymember_Levine [courtesy of Calitics: Soapblox California - Front Page]

I celebrate today's decision with all the citizens whose lives would have been adversely impacted by the BHP Billiton project.  An environmental impact report associated with the project identified more than a dozen harmful effects on marine life, air quality and the coastal environment, and we already knew this project was not in compliance with our Clean Air Act. These factors, combined with the great efforts of many concerned Californians, helped to sink this proposal. It was the wrong project at the wrong time for California.

Four years ago, our energy situation in California was in a much different place. However, after several productive years of passing legislation focusing not only on energy efficiency standards, but also on green, clean, and renewable energy sources, there is no need to lessen our state's commitment to a clean environment by approving the BHP Billiton terminal.