Crunch Time For LNG

LNG is the hottest energy topic in California this week. Two make or break hearings for the controversial Cabrillo Port project take place tonight in Oxnard and Thursday in Santa Barbara.

The State Lands Commission is expected to vote tonight at the conclusion of its hearing- a thumbs down will kill the project, a thumbs up will keep it alive for a Thursday hearing in front of the Coastal Commission.

So after all of the verbal sparring and positioning, it all comes down to this...

In dueling editorials yesterday, the San Jose Mercury News and the Los Angeles Times take opposng views of the project.

The Merc is unabashedly pro-LNG, noting that it is absolutely critical to California's energy future.

The Times questions whether there is actually a natural gas shortage in California that requires additonal imports. The Times also tips its hat to BHP Billiton, noting that the company has taken"unprecedented steps" to minimize environmentlal damage, but notes that it's still an industrial facility serviced by boats and tankers and, therefore, is bound to be dirty.

Editorial: Keep natural gas plan alive [San Jose Mercury News]

Keep Oxnard clean [Los Angeles Times]