Cabrillo Port's Worst Case Leaves Land Unaffected

The worst case scenario for an LNG terminal planned off the Ventura County Coastline by BHP Billiton would not be as bad as previously feared.

A catastrophic release of liquefied natural gas from a terminal proposed off the Ventura County coast could spread a powerful and spectacular fireball over several miles, but pose no threat on land because the facility would be at least 14 miles offshore, a new study shows.

The gas-processing plant, one of four proposed for Southern California, would convert fuel shipped from across the Pacific Ocean for use in Los Angeles-area factories and power plants.

Of course, if you build the terminal on shore, as proposed in Long Beach, you're guaranteed that a catastrophic fireball will affect land lovers.