Malibu Congressman Questions EPA on LNG.

The Malibu Surfside News is reporting that Malibu Congressman Henry Waxman has sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting details on EPA's decision reverse its stance on air quality compliance requirements for Cabrillo Port, a ruling that was ultimately overturned by the Ventura smog board.

Waxman, who represents Malibu, became Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform when the new Democratic majority took control of Congress earlier this month.

Waxman is no dummy-- he's been around Washington a long time. Politically speaking, this was a no-brainer: send a letter to the EPA and score big points with many of your constituents AND toe the Democratic Party line in its commitment to using newfound oversight authority to bludgeon the Bush Adminstration and Republicans in the leadup to 2008.

It's not clear what impact this move will have on the future of LNG. Practically speaking, the EPA decision in question was reversed months ago and any LNG terminal still has to be approved by state regulatory bodies, but politically speaking, it's another twist in the three ring circus that LNG in California has become.

Stay tuned... I'm sure there's plenty more to come!

Congressional Probe into EPA Flip-Flop on CP [Malibu Surfside News]