Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on California State Lands Commission's Action on LNG Terminal

Statement

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today regarding the California State Lands Commission's vote to deny the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility off the coast of Ventura County:

"I have always said that California must have a diverse, dependable and environmentally sound mix of energy supplies to meet the needs of our people and our economy. And as California continues to lead the nation in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, guaranteeing a steady source of clean-burning fuel takes on even greater significance. We must remember that our efforts to reduce carbon based, dirty energy in California creates a responsibility to ensure our state has ample clean energy.

"Hearings this week on a proposed liquefied natural gas facility 14 miles off the Southern California coast are of vital importance to our state's future, and I approach my decision-making role in that process very, very seriously.

"It would be inappropriate for me to take a position on any application before the review process is complete, but I do believe that liquefied natural gas should be a part of California's energy portfolio. Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel and an LNG facility to serve our state would make California less vulnerable to variations in supply and price.

"Despite the action taken today by the State Lands Commission, my office, pursuant to federal law, is using the allotted 45-day review period to make sure that the project meets strict standards of public and environmental safety."

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