By Roy L Hales

The struggle has been ongoing for more than a decade. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) approved the first incarnation of this project in 2009 and few are surprised to hear they  issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement today.  The energy company Veresen’s President and CEO, Don Althoff, calls this “a significant regulatory milestone,” which came about after working “closely with federal, state and local regulatory agencies and with local communities over the past three years.” Forrest English, of Rogue Riverkeeper, said “FERC has never turned down a new LNG terminal.” The fight over Jordan Cove LNG will continue.

A 230-MIle-Long-Pipeline

If the project goes forward, a 230-mile-long pipeline will be built to carry LNG scored four Oregon counties to Jordan Cove, where the gas will be put on tankers and sold in Asia. Aside from those who are employed, there is little benefit to local residents and 90% of the property owners along the route do not want to sell their land.  According to the EIS (p ES 15), “Operation of the Project would be a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (2.1 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year)” and “noise from construction of the LNG terminal is expected to be similar to typical commercial structure construction programs.”

FERC may issue a final order and certificates for Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector on or before December 29, 2015 and Veresen hopes to receive the “Notice to Proceed” in mid-2016.

Fight Over Jordan Cove LNG Will Continue

“We will be evaluating Ferc’s analysis & it is likely we will be appealing the final decision from FERC,” said English.

He added, “This project needs state permits to go forward and they do not have those permits in hand yet. We are looking to state agencies and the governor to determine whether this project adheres to state law.”

The first incarnation of Jordan Cove LNG failed after Governor Ted Kulongoski challenged FERC’s approval in 2010, saying they “failed to conduct adequate environmental studies.”

“We’ve been here before with FERC and we will push back on their flawed analysis once again,” said Susan Jane Brown, attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center. “Most importantly, we know Oregon has the legal authority and ample reasons to reject this project, and we are counting on Governor Brown to stand up for all Oregonians.”

Oregon’s Climate Goals & Water Standards

“FERC doesn’t take Oregon’s climate goals seriously, but we hope that Governor Brown does. Oregon cannot simultaneously lead on climate change while approving a project that will become the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our state,” said  Hannah Sohl of Rogue Climate. “

 “The pipeline and terminal conflict with Oregon’s own clean water and environmental standards. We are asking that our State agencies and our Governor apply Oregon’s laws and protect landowners like myself who would face condemnation for the pipeline,” said Francis Eatherington, who has fought the proposed pipeline through her property for 10 years.

“A lot of Oregonians are really looking to Governor Kate Brown for leadership on climate issues in particular. (We are) looking to her to adhere to state law and make sure her agencies are enforcing it and use those clear standard to deny this project,” said English.