Natural gas will foul air

Southern California's air-quality agency sued state utility officials Tuesday, alleging that imported liquefied natural gas the officials approved for use here could significantly increase the region's smog and set back progress toward clean air.
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Oil companies and other energy providers are planning to spend an estimated $3 billion to build at least four natural-gas pumping stations on California's coast and three more on the west coast of Baja California to meet the region's energy demands.
The California Public Utilities Commission in September approved a standard that will allow energy companies to burn the imported gas to generate power. Because the gas burns hotter than domestic gas, it creates more pollution. The South Coast Air Quality Management District contends the PUC violated state environmental law by making its decision without first determining how the added pollution will affect the environment, said Sam Atwood, a district spokesman.
The problem with the imported gas is that it will emit more nitrogen oxides -- a key component of smog, Atwood said.
"Some tests show it will double the nitrogen oxides," he said. "This will have a huge impact."
The air district regulates emissions from power plants, factories and products in most of Southern California. The region is decades away from meeting clean-air standards for ozone, the pollution created when nitrogen oxides mix with other chemicals in the air.
Atwood said the imported fuel could burn cooler and wouldn't increase pollution if it were mixed with an inert gas such as hydrogen. Some East Coast cities already have taken that step.
"This is completely feasible," Atwood said. "There is no reason they shouldn't be doing this."
'Cannot Afford a Setback'
Michael R. Peevey, PUC president, said pollution would not increase under the standard approved in September. However, it is not as tough as what the air district wanted.
The utilities commission probably will seek a delay of any court action until a re-hearing of the natural-gas standard that is scheduled for March, commission spokeswoman Terrie Prosper said. The re-hearing was requested by the air-quality district, but Atwood said the commission had missed a December deadline to set a hearing.
Peter Hidalgo, a Southern California Gas Co. representative, said the standard that the utilities commission adopted was consistent with findings and recommendations of industry studies.
But air-pollution officials fear a setback in their smog battle because of an anticipated increase in nitrogen oxides from power plants, as well as water heaters, stoves and furnaces that could number in the millions.
"At a time when we are searching for every possible means to further reduce air pollution, we cannot afford a setback that will significantly increase emissions and subject residents to worsened air quality," said Barry Wallerstein, the air district's executive officer, in a prepared statement.
Failing to Meet Standards
In the warm spring and summer months, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, such as gasoline fumes, react in the atmosphere to create unhealthy levels of ozone, a lung-irritating gas that triggers asthma, nausea, fatigue, headaches and other health problems.
Southern California's worst ozone readings usually are in the Inland area and around Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains.
For decades, Southern California has failed to meet federal and state health standards for ozone.
Liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is natural gas cooled to minus 259 degrees Fahrenheit so that it becomes a liquid and can be delivered by ocean-going ships from Australia, Asian and Russia to Southern California. It then can be reheated and delivered to homes, businesses and power plants by pipeline.
The supply of natural gas produced within the United States is on the decline at the same time that demand is growing because it is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, Hidalgo said. Imports are expected to lower gas bills because they would stimulate competition among suppliers, Hidalgo said.
The Southern California Gas Co. is the nation's largest distributor of natural gas.
Reach David Danelski at 951-368-9471 or ddanelski@PE.com
Reach Leslie Berkman 951-893-2111 or lberkman@PE.com
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