RESIDENTS CAN HAVE SAY ON LNG LINE IN SCV NEW ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BEING REVIEWED BY OFFICIALS.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Residents will have the chance again to comment on a proposed natural gas pipeline through Santa Clarita, a project that was sidelined for more than a year while environmental studies were retooled.

Santa Clarita officials have not opposed the project, but did register concerns about the environmental report, which they found lacking in options for protecting the Santa Clara River - which the pipeline could cross.

"The city is in the process of reviewing the environmental impact report and we won't know how (it) addresses the city's comments until the review is complete," said senior planner Kai Luoma.

Houston-based conglomerate BHP Billiton plans to build a floating storage and processing facility 14 miles off the Ventura County coast. The pipeline, which would emerge onshore near an Oxnard beach, would snake east through the city.

Offshore aspects of the proposed project have fueled concerns about maritime practices and safety.

The onshore pipeline, which would deliver fuel into Southern California Gas Co.'s system, has drawn concern about environmental hazards versus the growing need for energy.

The city's initial concerns hinged on the pipeline's route, its proximity to schools, and noise, air and water-related issues.

In 2004, local officials and residents aired criticism and support for the project during the first round of public hearings. A meeting, hosted by the California State Lands Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Maritime Administration, was held at City Hall on Nov. 29, 2004.

The three agencies have performed an environmental review of the project, guided by state and federal laws. < On Tuesday, a spokesman for The Gas Co. said the project's long-range benefits are too important to ignore.

"We think the supply of liquefied natural gas coming into our system ... promotes more competition among suppliers," said Joe Chow, district manager for the utility. "In the long run, it will bring the cost of gas down and the price of gas down for our customers. We think it is one of the long-term solutions for higher energy prices."

Dwight Sanders, chief of the Division of Environmental Planning and Management for the State Lands Commission, said the project has been "modified somewhat" from the earlier version, but few changes pertain to the pipeline's routing through Santa Clarita.

Luoma expects to comment on the document, if necessary, by the April 28 deadline.

The report could be certified by the commission in early August before officials decide whether to endorse the project's license or recommend that it be denied.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will have a chance to weigh in on the decision. If the governor takes no action during the 45 days set aside for his review, his endorsement will be inferred, Sanders said.

The 45-day public comment period will end April 28.

A hearing on the draft environmental document will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

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