Feds Defend LNG Fast Track as Clock Starts

In an unusual burst of anger from a federal official, a U.S. Maritime Administration official lashed out against a coastal activist who had just accused his agency of rushing a decision on the BHP Billiton liquefied natural gas terminal.

The tempers flared Wednesday night at the first of three public hearings in eight days on the BHP Cabrillo Port LNG terminal.

The dramatic exchange was sparked when coastal advocate Susan Jordan charged that federal agencies were deliberately rushing the decision-making process by requiring three public hearings be held within eight days.

As she ran out of her allotted time, Jordan said California is