Title
Status report on the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal application.
Discussion
The Port of Long Beach (POLB) is currently in negotiations with Sound Energy Solutions (SES) to develop a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal.
This is a significant project-involving State and Federal regulators-that has garnered considerable public attention. While the POLB is the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City Council should be prepared to take the necessary steps to reserve its right to exercise jurisdictional authority. To date, the sole action taken by the City Council has been to authorize Long Beach Energy to enter the negotiations with SES and the POLB.
I believe it would be prudent for the City Council to receive a report from the City Manager on the status of the LNG negotiations. The report should include an overview of the next steps in the CEQAlNEPA process and the possible actions that could be taken by the California Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Port of Long Beach.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Request City Manager to prepare report.