LNG Opponents Will Intervene On Oregon LNG Project

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2008

Contact: Dan Serres, Columbia Riverkeeper, (503) 890-2441)

Astoria, OR – The Oregon LNG project, a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline development that would involve a terminal in Warrenton and a 118-mile pipeline through the Willamette Valley, drew a swift reaction today from its opponents after Oregon LNG filed its official application with FERC. A coalition of farmers, foresters, businesses, and conservationists will intervene in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) process to challenge the project.
Dan Serres with Columbia Riverkeeper challenged the alleged need for the Oregon LNG project. "Oregon LNG's project is wrong for Oregon. They are proposing to tear up the Columbia River to import LNG at a time when North American LNG and gas companies are actively seeking to export LNG, and when global LNG prices are several times higher than domestic gas supplies. We will intervene to protect the Columbia River and to block this newly proposed foreign fossil fuel addiction."
Steve Wick, Chair of the Yamhill County LNG Citizens Advisory Committee and a Gaston landowner whose property could be impacted by the project's proposed high-pressure, non-odorized pipeline, anticipated strong resistance coming from landowners along the route. "The Oregon LNG pipeline represents another blatant attempt of a private company to take our private land for an ill-advised energy scheme through the use of eminent domain. Our own Oregon Department of Energy has said there is no need for this pipeline, so this project should not be forced on unwilling communities."
Oregon LNG also faces stiff opposition from local activists and businesses near Astoria, where Cheryl Johnson, a retired school librarian, expressed her disgust with the proposal. "It's outrageous that Oregonians have to waste their time fighting terrible ideas like this one, proposals that put our public safety, our river, and our future in renewable energy at risk. Make no mistake, though - we will fight them every step of the way."
Don West, president of the Columbia River Business Alliance, added, "There are real risks associated with this project for the public and for our economy. Oregon LNG is trying to build an LNG facility near the Astoria Airport. Their three proposed storage tanks are 17 stories tall and almost a football field in width, and they want to put these in the flight path of our airport? If we ever want to expand the airport we cannot allow this type of obstruction and threat to our continued growth on the north coast of Oregon."
By filing to intervene, individuals and groups such as Columbia Riverkeeper will retain the right to appeal FERC's decision on the project.