San Diego County Official Concerned with Nitrogen Content in LNG Imported to Costa Azul Terminal
Bob Kard, leader of the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, raised concerns with the level of nitrogen in LNG imported to the Costa Azul LNG import terminal. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, once the LNG is regasified at the Costa Azul terminal and transported to customers in southern California, its composition allows the gas to burn hotter and, though it meets California’s pipeline standards, it does not meet the state’s standards for use in motor vehicles. However, San Diego Gas & Electric has received an exemption to allow it to place the gas in buses and trucks. Kard argues that the hotter gas burned in motor vehicles and other small devices, like stoves, could create more pollution and frustrate the county’s efforts to improve its air quality.