At a video briefing in Perth on Friday, California Energy Commission special projects manager Dave Maul said the state still did not have an official position on whether LNG should come to California.

“Right now we are open to considering all options, including LNG,” he said.

BHP, Woodside and the Gorgon partners are all pitching into the North American market, with BHP and Woodside pushing their respective Cabrillo Port and Clearwater receival facilities.

The Cabrillo Port proposal was halted by the US Coastguard in January, as debate and technical appraisal surrounding it intensified.

Maul said while Californian energy woes were well documented, the real issue facing LNG importers was the public information gap in California, particularly on the safety and environmental risks associated with the commodity.

“With the newness of LNG and the lack of experience the local citizens have, obviously there are a lot of questions.”

He reinforced BHP’s earlier statements that consultative meeting were being held with community groups to educate and remove any misinformation on the LNG proposals, and also to gather community reactions.

“But right now, I can’t say whether Californians as a whole are for or against LNG – it’s probably split right now.”