Coalition pushes LNG in California

The California Manufacturers and Technology Association (CMTA) is organizing a coalition to educate Californians on the need for and safety of liquefied natural gas:

Without a steady flow of LNG, the state could be whipsawed by the kind of volatile prices that boosted electricity and natural gas bills during the energy crisis of 2000 and 2001, LNG advocates say.

But LNG projects have ignited considerable opposition.

LNG critics — mainly environmentalists, alternative energy advocates and coastal residents — say the state should work to become less dependent on fossil fuels. They worry about accidents or terrorist attacks, and those fears have generated headlines and stirred up environmental activists and homeowners along the Pacific coast.

Now, industry is getting ready to fight back, led by the California manufacturers and technology coalition and the California Chamber of Commerce.

What's needed to win the LNG war is an industry-sponsored campaign that "will provide political air cover to elected officials of both parties who might be willing to support LNG but fear fallout [from voters] in their districts," according to Murphy's winning sales pitch, which was presented to the state manufacturers group in August.

That's Mike Murphy--political guru to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger--who is managing the Pro-LNG campaign.