Not In My Backyard

Buried away in the massive spending bill set to clear Congress next week is a plan that has state leaders around the nation upset. The clause gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission -- not the states -- the power to decide where to put liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals. Liquifying natural gas makes it easy to transport, but the terminals are prime terrorist targets and hold the potential for massive disaster in an explosion. That makes them very unpopular with potential neighbors and easy for states to block their construction. Giving the power to Washington makes it easier to put the terminals where the energy industry wants them -- and limits lobbying expenses to just Washington instead of several coastal states. (LAT)