> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Video gamers aren’t too proud for ‘Beg’ - URL: https://www.smdp.com/video-gamers-arent-too-proud-for-beg/ - Published: 2006-04-01T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T17:26:01.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Environment, Ocean Park, #archive-import, Homeless *Finally, we have some floating tankers* *By SNICKA’ DOODLE Daily Mess Maker* OCEAN PARK BLVD. — Creative types stuck dreaming their days away, wishing they could get out there and live la vida local, if just for a day or two, are in luck. Activersion, makers of such popular video games as the war-themed “Call of Duty” and “Tony Hawk’s” skateboarding offerings are allowing gamers to step inside the reeling minds of Santa Monica’s homeless population in the new role-playing game “Beg to Differ,” were released by accident or by an act of terrorism. “This is literally right in my back yard,” said Jim Smith, a resident who lives along the beach. “It’s in all of our back yards. I can’t believe this is happening. I am in shock, total, utter dismay.” The facility is expected to deliver more than 200 billion cubic feet of natural gas to California annually, or 25 percent of the state’s residential energy needs. California currently imports more than 80 percent of its gas supply from producing basins outside of the state, officials say. “The economic opportunities for Santa Monica are enormous,” said Alan Greenspunk, who has been working as a consultant for City Hall since he retired from the Federal Reserve in January. “The analysis and forecasting that I’ve done so far shows prosperity of epic proportions.” It would be the first LNG transfer station on the West Coast to use existing facilities. The station is described as floating offshore vessels with three spherical storage tanks. The LNG would be pumped into tanks from transport ships that will import the gas purchased on the international market. LNG, which can be compressed to 1/600 of its volume, is a form of natural gas that has been refrigerated to minus- 259 degrees Fahrenheit. It then becomes an odorless, colorless and clear liquid. LNG, in a process called “regasifica-tion,” is converted back to its original gas state by being pumped through a heat exchange system. After the regasification at the Santa Monica station, the natural gas would then be transferred onshore via a 500-yard pipeline built along the ocean floor. That pipe would then be connected to Santa Monica’s sewer system, where it would reach its final resting place, the Charnock Fields, the city’s main water treatment facility. > “Might as well make some money off of it and increase city services... We’ll get those alleys cleaned up in no time.” Charnock, which had been shut down since 1996 from a MtBE water contamination, was redesigned and rebuilt according to specification from Liquefied Energy LLC., which now controls the facility. Santa Monica mayor Rob Holemilk said the benefits outweigh the costs in both converting the water treatment facility and selling out to a big energy corporation. “Our bay was trashed anyway,” he said. A lawsuit is expected to be filed on Monday by Feel the Bay, a non-profit environmental group that has for the past 20 years worked its ass off to clean up the bay to no avail. The suit seeks to stop production immediately. “This operation will destroy everything we’ve worked for,” said Feel the Bay director Gray Greene. “Water quality was just starting to make the grade... I haven’t seen a plastic six-pack holder floating in months.” Residents on the north side of town say they’ll see little effect on their quality of life. “This would never happen north of Montana,” said Gregory Greenback. “That’s why I live here. I am unaffected.” City officials will climb aboard the vessels during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday. They’ll be issued gas masks, suits designed to sustain massive heat and protective eye wear. “Although our new addition to the bay isn’t exactly accessible to the community, I can assure you that it is for the public benefit,” said City Councilman Wan Sandforit. “I am absolutely certain that once the community understands how vitally important this is to me, and them, of course, they will embrace the idea.” Even so, a studio apartment in Santa Monica is $1,500, even south of the 10\. Parking is not included. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/040106.pdf?ref=smdp.com)