Press Release: LNG Referendum A Go For September 16, 2008 Ballot

IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 17, 2008

Signatures Validated, LNG Referendum A Go

Date Set For a Vote on LNG Pipelines in Parks in Clatsop County(Astoria, OR) Despite Northern Star's attempts to derail it in court, Clatsop County residents will be able to vote on allowing LNG-related pipelines in their parks.

Cathie Schurman, Interim County Clerk, today certified 1117 of the 1255 signatures submitted (91%), far in excess of the598 needed.

She set the date of the county-wide vote as September 16, 2008.

The ballot measure number is 4-131.

Northern Star first sued in Clatsop County court to stop the referendumentirely; then to radically change the ballot language. They failed on both counts.

The change in the zoning ordinance to allow pipelines not only affects the area near the LNG terminal, but would allow pipelines in all areas designated open space, parks, and recreation. This includes Camp Cullaby, Carnahan County Park, Fishhawk Falls County Park, North Fork Nehalem CountyPark, and Sigfridson County Park.

"As a community we implement laws that aid in the protection of ourchildren. How, in good conscience, could we as a community allow a 36-inch, high-pressure, interstate gas pipeline three feet below where our children play?" said Teri Sund, an Astoria mother of two.

Debbie Twombly, Astoria resident and also a chief petitioner, added, "Even people who support the LNG projects do not support the Commissioners making such a sweeping change to our laws to accommodate one company.

" The group Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense www.ClatsopCommonSense.org is raising money and organizing for the vote. "We expect a vigorous campaign from a well-funded opposition, but we expect to prevail," said Marc Auerbach, one of the referendum petitioners and chair of the NorthwestProperty Rights Coalition.

Clatsop County Citizens for Common Sense Marc Auerbach Chair Northwest Property Rights Coalition and Petitionermarc@nwprc.org 503.755.2415 Don WestVice President, Columbia River Business Alliance and Petitioner donweast10@gmail.com 503.298.9937 Brent Foster Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper brentfoster@gorge.net 541.380.1334 Clatsop Common Sense P.O. Box 186Warrenton, Oregon 97146 www.ClatsopCommonSense.org