Calif. agency sues over air pollution

LOS ANGELES – The South Coast Air Quality Management District sued California public utility officials, claiming the liquefied natural gas that officials approved for use in the state could worsen air pollution.

Energy providers plan to spend about $3 billion on the construction of seven natural gas terminals on the coast of California and Baja in Mexico. The air-quality agency alleges that natural gas could set back progress toward clean air. The lawsuits were filed with the California appeals court and the state Supreme Court.

The California Public Utilities Commission has approved a standard that will allow oil companies and other energy providers to burn the gas to generate power. Because imported liquefied natural gas burns hotter than domestic gas, it creates more pollution.

Sam Atwood, a district spokesman, said the imported fuel won’t increase pollution if it is mixed with an inert gas such as hydrogen, which some cities on the East Coast are already doing. Public utilities President Michael R. Peevey said pollution would not increase under the standard approved in September.

AP