HAWTHORNE— Assemblyman Price will host an informational Town Hall Meeting in Hawthorne on June 29th to discuss the proposed jet fuel pipeline and its possible negative impacts to surrounding communities. The panel of speakers will include representatives from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the City of Los Angeles, the Bureau of Engineering Environmental Management Group, and the applicant, WesPac Energy Group. Public comment will be welcome.

“It is my job as an Assemblyman to make sure that the members of my communities are aware of controversial projects that are being proposed. I am pleased to host this informational hearing on the proposed jet fuel pipeline through my district,” said Assemblymember Price. “I expect that we will be asking the panel a lot of questions regarding this proposal- especially in terms of the effects on the community during the construction as well as the possible safety concerns once construction has been completed. I am also interested in knowing how residents feel about this project.”

The proposed jet fuel pipeline, called the Smart Energy Transport System (S.E.T.S.), is an underground pipeline for transporting jet fuel from off- site storage facilities to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As planned, it would span the course of 25 miles and, at its minimum depth, would lie one yard underground. Cities that may be affected by the proposed pipeline include: Carson, Compton, Gardena, Hawthorne, El Segundo, Wilmington, and Los Angeles. The pipeline itself would be built of steel with a special coating to protect it from soil and water. To further protect the pipeline from corrosion, a DC electrical current would be caused to flow through the soil and water. The total construction time for the project is estimated at about six months.

Assemblymember Price added that all neighbors are welcome to attend the Town Hall Meeting, which will be held:

Friday June 29, 2007
Jet Fuel Pipeline Proposal Informational Meeting
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Hawthorne Memorial Center
“Venus” Room
3901 W. El Segundo Blvd.
Hawthorne, CA 90250

Assemblymember Curren Price serves the 51st Assembly District, which includes Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Playa Vista, Westchester, Lawndale, West Athens, Lennox, Alondra Park, West Compton, Del Aire, and Willowbrook, as well as portions of the unincorporated area of Ladera.