Eureka, CA - Numerous groups representing resident, environmental, and Native American organizations based in Humboldt County today announced a new coalition that has formed in response to the plan to construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility and power plant on Humboldt Bay. In announcing the coalition, members of the Humboldt Bay Coalition Against LNG cited concerns with an "independent" review being considered by local officials, charging that it is not an independent analysis as portrayed.
On Friday, February 20, the County Board of Supervisors released a revised draft of an agreement to establish a committee to review Calpine's "Feasibility Study" of its proposed plan, which, if approved, would transport 33 million gallons of LNG into Humboldt Bay one to two times each week to be "regasified" and fed into a new power plant and new pipeline leading to the Central Valley. The approach proposed by County staff would limit the committee's review beyond material provided by Calpine, restricting its ability to conduct additional studies or gather additional information due to the limited funds that would remain.
"Because this proposed LNG terminal is such a major project and because many citizens have significant concerns regarding their safety and quality of life, the process that determines its fate must be truly independent to the highest standards." Mike Buettner, LNG Watch, stated.
In his report to the Board of Supervisors, Kirk Girard, Director of Community Services, acknowledged there is an alternative approach that would "increase the degree of independence," but attempts to discard this alternative on the basis that it would "increase the cost and length of time necessary to complete the evaluation." However, a genuine independent health and safety study for another community was conducted within the same time frame and for the same cost that is estimated here. This independent study, completed in January 2003, was conducted in 90 days at a cost of $250,000. In that instance, the City of Vallejo concluded that the proposal could have serious health and safety impacts on the community, and Shell/Bechtel withdrew its proposal.
Calpine has agreed to pay $250,000 - $300,000 for a study and has admitted to already investing one million dollars in its efforts to place the project in our community. The Humboldt Bay Coalition Against LNG is calling for revisions to the current agreement that would generate a truly independent study rather than a review of Calpine's Feasibility Study.
"Most people I talk to are against this project but are not getting actively involved because they think it will never happen. However, this project has gained significant momentum," Fairhaven resident Troy Nicolini said. "We are asking people to contact the City Council, Board of Supervisors, and Harbor District to request a study that is truly independent," he continued.
The Coalition also believes it is imperative for an independent study to be concluded before any commitment is made to Calpine. Local officials will then be able to maintain their respective jurisdictions and control over the proposal. The City of Vallejo for this reason required its independent study to be completed prior to considering an "exclusive right to negotiate" with Shell/Bechtel or allowing it to proceed with a Feasibility Study. In it, independent scientific consultants conducted their own research and analysis of the potential health and safety hazards rather than relying on information supplied by the project proponent as proposed here.
Members of the Coalition are concerned with the proposed LNG facility and power plant for a wide variety of reasons, including health and safety concerns, environmental effects, impacts to property values, adverse economic impacts, recreational access, protection of cultural and sacred sites, and issues relating to sustainability. The Coalition is growing in its number of groups and organizations, and currently includes LNG Watch, Fairhaven Residents Association, Eureka Homeowners Committee, Seventh Generation Fund, Redwood Alliance, Environmental Protection Information Center, Northcoast Environmental Center, Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, California Native Plant Society, Ecological Rights Foundation, Humboldt Watershed Council, Klamath Environmental Law Center, and Sierra Club, Redwood Chapter, North Group.
"Together, we represent a wide variety of interests in our community who are committed to improving the quality of life in our area. We believe an LNG import facility and power plant cannot be part of that future," Cynthia Elkins, Program Director for the Environmental Protection Information Center, said.
Scientific studies, articles, reports, and other information on LNG and this proposal are available at LNGwatch.com and wildcalifornia.org.
