The City Council went on record Wednesday in opposition to a project in San Luis Obispo County that city officials say could lead to trains carrying two million tons of flammable liquids per week through Los Angeles.
The council voted 15-0 to urge the San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission to reject a plan to build a rail terminal on the southwest side of the Phillips 66 Co.’s Santa Maria refinery to receive crude oil via train and to deliver the product. Crude oil shipments are currently made to the refinery using pipeline.
Los Angeles Councilman Mike Bonin, the resolution’s author, said the action before the San Luis Obispo County’s Planning Commission could put at risk Los Angeles neighborhoods in Wilmington, downtown, Elysian Park, Atwater Village, the area near Griffith Park, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, Northridge and Chatsworth.
“The trains are full of highly flammable liquid, and when they derail they aren’t just coming off the track. They’re massive, destructive life threatening bombs,” Bonin said.
Bonin and other council members also noted that the project runs counter to Los Angeles’ efforts to move away from fossil fuels, such as the city’s efforts to end its dependence on coal-fire power, and its recently adopted mobility plan that emphasizes more transportation options for bicyclists, pedestrians and those who ride public transit.
Bonin’s resolution was co-authored by Councilmen Paul Koretz and Jose Huizar.
The proposed refinery spur expansion project would also lead to rail routes through the Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Cities like San Luis Obispo, San Jose, Camarillo have also officially come out against the project, Bonin said.
The refinery is in an unincorporated part of San Luis Obispo County. The county is currently preparing a final environmental impact report.
— City News Service