La Goleta Gas Project Approved

The Southern California Gas Company’s plan to expand its natural gas storage facility adjacent to Goleta Beach — and likely extract some untapped gas in the process — moved a step closer to reality on Tuesday, as the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the project. That vote came despite some lingering qualms from 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf, whose district includes the property, and against the opposition of about 15 citizens — not to mention many dozens of residents of the nearby Rancho Goleta Mobile Home Park — who voiced concerns over possible safety issues. The La Goleta storage expansion project — which has been in the works for more than five years now and will not involve any hydraulic fracturing, or fracking — next moves onto the California Coastal Commission. Opponents complained that, like at the Planning Commission, the board seemed to have their minds made up before the meeting began. “This issue isn’t put to rest,” said Naneki Elliott. “We who are opposed will be going to the Coastal Commission.”