CA: LNG terminal safety, meth top Tuesday council agenda

Press Telegram ^ | 8/15/05 | Jason Gerwitz

[NormsRevenge]

LONG BEACH — Now that a recently adopted energy bill has given the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission siting authority over liquefied natural gas terminals, the City Council on Tuesday will turn its attention to the issue of LNG safety instead.

It's part of a busy council agenda that also includes hybrid cars, the methamphetamine issue, racial profiling and a new police contract.

Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga on Tuesday will request that the council let port officials know that safety should be the "overriding consideration' during deliberations over an LNG receiving terminal proposed on Pier T in the port. She will also request that the city's Public Safety Advisory Commission study the risks and hazards of such a terminal and report back to the council.

The energy bill signed last week by President Bush provided ways for the city to have input into certain decisions regarding public safety of an LNG terminal.

In addition, city attorneys maintain that the Harbor Commission will have the ultimate say over whether to issue a lease to the company proposing the LNG terminal in Long Beach.

In June, a split council voted to continue discussions with that company, Sound Energy Solutions, over pipelines that would transport the gas from the proposed terminal for use across the state. Council members sought a "risk assessment and a hazardous assessment, including fiscal impact' of the potential complex. Uranga will request input from the advisory commission on those issues.

Meth use

Also Tuesday, the council will hear two items regarding methamphetamine and its use across the city.

Councilman Dan Baker will request a report from city officials on how to tackle "increasing methamphetamine use, its correlation with the increase in STD rates, and what is being done to address these trends in Long Beach."

Meanwhile, Councilmembers Patrick O'Donnell, Bonnie Lowenthal and Val Lerch will request that the Public Safety Advisory Commission report back in 60 days with recommendations on how the city can address the use of the drug and its impact on crime.

Racial profiling

On an entirely different social front, Lowenthal will seek a "public discussion' about racial profiling.

Lowenthal will ask her council colleagues to let the Public Safety Advisory Commission hold meetings to educate the public about profiling, including a definition of what the public believes profiling to mean.

Police officials recently completed state-developed training on profiling issues, according to a memo from Lowenthal to the council.

Hybrid cars

Lowenthal and Councilman Frank Colonna will also call for a city plan to modernize the city's vehicle fleet with energy-efficient cars, including hybrids.

Lowenthal, who drives a hybrid car supplied by the city, and Colonna, who drives a personal hybrid vehicle, will request that the city manager return with short-and long-term plans to acquire more fuel-efficient vehicles for city use.

POA contract

Also Tuesday, the council will consider adopting a labor agreement with the city's police union. Members of the Long Beach Police Officers Association approved the deal last month. It calls for a 21 percent pay raise over four years, but requires officers to pay more for their pensions and health care.