(February 29, 2004) -- As previously reported by LBReport.com, the CA Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has taken the position that it has regulatory authority over a proposal by a Mitsubishi subsidiary (Sound Energy Solutions or SES) to build a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility in the Port of LB.

As we reported, the CPUC has filed a notice of intervention and protest with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in a form resembling a legal brief, indicating that the state agency considers SES a public utility that must comply with CA law applicable to public utilities on safety and other matters.

CPUC's papers state in part, "[i]n light of the residential neighborhoods and businesses in the Cities of Long Beach and Los Angeles within approximately two miles of the proposed LNG facilities at the Port of Long Beach, the siting of SES's proposed LNG facilities present significant issues concerning the safety of California citizens and businesses."

In an attachment to its filing, the CPUC submits an affidavit from an utilities engineer in CPUC's Utilities Division, citing LB neighborhoods, businesses, public facilities, freeways, recreation and tourist attractions and their approximate distances from the proposed LNG facility.

The document is in a level of detail not seen or heard to date from any government entity of the City of Long Beach.

For ease of reference, LBReport.com provides this CPUC attachment verbatim in pdf form as a separate document on the following hyperlink link:

Attachment B to CPUC Notice of Intervention and Protest, filed by CA Public Utilities Commission Feb. 23, 2004 with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Sound Energy Solutions, Docket No. CP-04-58-000.