Statement of Congresswoman Jane Harman

Presented to the September 26, 2007 Scoping Meeting

regarding Woodside Natural Gas Inc. OceanWay Secure Energy LNG DWP

 

I am very disappointed that I am not able to testify in person regarding the Woodside Natural Gas Inc. OceanWay Secure Energy Deepwater port project because it will impose significant burdens on those whom I represent in California’s 36th Congressional district.   My district includes communities on all sides of the airport and this project is designed to come ashore in my district on the beach side of LAX. 

 

While I am a strong proponent of clean fuels, including natural gas, I do not believe this project is either wise or beneficial to the people of my district, or all of Southern California.

 

Despite the project being called OceanWay Secure Energy, I have significant concerns about the security of the project, particularly with regard to its proximity to LAX—the top terrorist target on the West Coast. 

 

During the past 33 years LAX has been the target of two bombings, two attempted bombings (including the Millennium Bomber) and a fatal handgun attack.

 

I believe siting this facility near LAX with dual high pressure pipelines transporting natural gas from the facility to a site near the runways could make LAX an even more attractive target to terrorists.

 

Several months ago, I expressed my concerns in letters to the Governor of California and the President of the Los Angeles City Council.  Then, on August 1, I authored an opinion piece in the Daily Breeze explaining in detail why I believe that this project would "make the bull’s eye on LAX’s back even bigger."

 

I appreciate the complexity of the environmental review process and urge you to examine these, and the other issues presented here today, so that we all understand just what this project will do, and how it will affect those who live along the Los Angeles coast.

 

Besides this statement, I will submit for the record the two letters and op-ed I referenced, as well as further information prepared by my staff regarding the potential impact of the project on security, noise, LAX operations, and our region’s air quality.

 

Thank you.

 

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Attachments/4

-         Supplemental Information (3 pages)

-         Copy of May 22, 2007 Letter to Governor Schwarzenegger

-         Copy of May 31, 2007 Letter to LA City Council Pres. Eric Garcetti

-         Copy of August 1, 2007 Daily Breeze op-ed “Let’s not invite terrorists to LAX.”