PVA/KLM/hl2 3/22/2005
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Order Instituting Investigation into the Proposal of Sound Energy Solutions to Construct and Operate a Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal at the Port of Long Beach.
Investigation 04-04-024
(Filed April 22, 2004)
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES' RULING REGARDING HEARINGS
This ruling advises the parties of the Commission's current plan to conduct hearings in this proceeding.
The Scoping Memo issued on September 13, 2004 in this proceeding originally scheduled evidentiary hearings for January 17, 2005 and scheduled public participation hearings on March 10 and 11. The Assigned Administrative Law Judges subsequently removed the hearings from the Commission's calendar after learning that the joint draft environmental impact report/environmental impact statement (DEIR/DEIS) would not be issued prior to March 2005.
This ruling sets forth a procedural schedule that is based on the assumption that the DEIR/DEIS will be issued around the first week of May, 2005. The schedule is subject to change if the DEIR/DEIS is issued significantly earlier or later. The Commission wants the parties and members of the public to have had an opportunity to understand and comment on the DEIR/DEIS prior to the Commission's hearings. Although the dates we set today are subject to change depending upon the date of issuance of the DEIR/DEIS, we issue this ruling in order to assist the parties in planning their participation in this proceeding.
Public Participation Hearings
The Commission intends to conduct public participation hearings in this proceeding in recognition of the potential impacts of the project on local neighborhoods and citizens. Public participation hearings provide an opportunity for individuals who are not parties to the proceeding to put their views on the project on the record of the proceeding. The Commission may consider public sentiments and concerns as guidance in the development of a more formal record.
The Commission will conduct public participation hearings as follows:
The Commission welcomes any and all individuals who wish to speak at these hearings and will undertake outreach in local neighborhoods to assure affected individuals, businesses and groups are informed of the hearings.
Any party who wishes a language interpreter to be present at the hearings, requires accommodations for disability or has other inquiries about the conduct of the hearings should contact the Commission's Public Advisor at
1-866-849-8391.
