COURT STYMIES L.A.'S EFFORT TO BLOCK OIL PIPELINE PROJECT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

Los Angeles lost its bid Thursday to halt construction of the Pacific Pipeline, with a Superior Court judge ruling the city had no right to block the consortium from its project.

Superior Court Judge Ronald Sohigian said the city could not stop the firm from acquiring rights of way for the 27 miles of the oil pipeline that will pass through the city, including nine miles in the San Fernando Valley.

``The record establishes that the public interest and necessity require the project, and the project is planned and located in a manner that will be most compatible with the greatest public good and least public injury,'' Sohigian said in his ruling.

Officials with Pacific Pipeline said they were particularly pleased that Sohigian also rejected arguments filed by firms with competing pipelines that the project wasn't needed.

``We have now had the Public Utilities Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, the California Supreme Court and the Los Angeles Superior Court approve or rule in favor of the Pacific Pipeline,'' said Jim Shamas, Pacific Pipeline vice president. ``We believe it is time for the city of Los Angeles and Pacific Pipeline to work together constructively to bring the significant environmental, safety and community benefits of this project to the people of Los Angeles.''

However, Councilman Richard Alarcon said he wants to pursue other options.