ACTION ALERT:URGENT -- CALL TO ACTION!Use your voice to protect Columbia River Salmon!
As many of you know, for the past several months the Water Resources Department (WRD) has been considering an application from NorthernStar/Bradwood Landing to take 15 Billion Gallons of water from the Columbia River in it's first year.
The WRD will also be responsible for issuing permits for the continual use of 12 Billion gallons of water during every year of Bradwood LNG operation. As a part of that application the Oregon Department of Fish &Wildlife must make a determination on the impact of that water right to fish in the affected area of the river.
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) is poised and ready to claim that NorthernStar's removal of billions of gallons of water will not have a detrimental impact to fish. They are making this evaluation based on inadequate information about the method by which that water will be screened in an area that is crucial habitat for salmon.
The information provided to ODFW is the same information currently being challenged by the State of Oregon, State of Washington, Columbia Riverkeeper and Columbia Inter-Tribal Fish Commission as being incomplete in the EIS for Bradwood Landing.
The possibility of this move by the ODFW is completely out of sync with Governor Kulongoski and the State of Oregon that is petitioning for a rehearing by FERC based on the fact that the analysis done for this project is incomplete.
Please read the attached action alert and sample email and contact the ODFW and Michael Carrier today! They could make this decision at any time within the next couple of weeks and they need to hear from you!Contact information for key decision makers is included here -- for a sample email and additional information please see the attached document titled "Urgent_ODFW_Alert(2)".
Contact:
Michael Carrier, Governor's Natural Resources Director:
michael.carrier@state.or.us, (503) 986-6525
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife:
Roy Elicker, Director, roy.elicker@state.or.us, (503)947-6044
Chris Kern, Assistant Fisheries Manager, j.chris.ken@state.or.us, (971)673-6031
Jill Zarnowitz, Water Policy Coordinator, jill.zarnowitz@state.or.us, (503)947-6092
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Columbia River Keeper: LNG Front Updates
Hello All:This is the third update to be sent-out over our communications list for folks who are interested in LNG and related pipeline developments in the Pacific NW. The intention of this list is to keep folks all over the region updated on LNG proposals and the growing movement of opposition to this development and related pipeline proposals in Oregon and Southern Washington. Welcome to our updater and thanks for your interest! If you would like to get more actively involved you may be able to attend one of our many monthly organizational meetings. To find out how to get more involved contact Olivia Schmidt at oliviariver@gmail.com or by phone at (971) 533-2390 and she can help you tap-in to this vital movement away from fossil fuel and toward a renewable energy future.Below you will find important action alerts, news items and notices for upcoming events.______________________________________________________
IN THE NEWS:
We have been all over the news in the last month and I am including here 5 key news items for folks to check out.
1) On September 16th we won the Clatsop County Pipeline Referendum with a NO vote! It was a huge victory for our coalition which won by a margin of 2:1 in this crucial election. The effect of that vote was two-fold. On one hand it demonstrated the true and staggering public opposition to LNG and associated pipelines -- a fact noticed by many Oregon Legislators. At the same time, because the voters of Clatsop County overturned one of the land use changes made by Clatsop County Commissioners, the referendum effectively invalidated the Land Use Compatibility Statement that Bradwood Landing is required to provide in order to obtain key state permits. In addition to the impact to permits and government leaders, the time and financial cost spent by Bradwood Landing/NorthernStar made this campaign very effective. Thanks to all of you who participated, volunteered and donated to that particular effort!
2) On September 18th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted a conditional permit to Bradwood Landing (proposed by Texas-based NorthernStar Natural Gas). This was an action that our entire coalition expected and that permit was met by strong opposition by members of our coalition as well as the State of Oregon and Washington. Governor Kulongoski and Governor Gregoire have strongly criticized FERC for issuing a permit based on a gravely inadequate Environmental Impact Statement and both states have promised to file a Petition for Rehearing and follow that with litigation if it is not granted by FERC. Columbia Riverkeeper and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (among others) are also filing petition for rehearing based on the incompleteness of the EIS for that project. The issuance of the federal permit put the ball squarely in the states' court and now is our chance to demand the denial of other key permits for LNG development. With continued pressure on state agencies to rightfully deny key permits we will win this fight!
3) On September 30th, members of the Yamhill Valley OCAP and the Yamhill County LNG Citizens Advisory Committee organized and led a tour of farms and natural resources that would be impacted by proposed Palomar and Oregon LNG pipelines through their area. They were joined by members of their county commission and representatives from the offices of Rep. David Wu and Sen. Ron Wyden who listened to testimony from impacted landowners, agriculturalists and Brenna Bell of Willamette Riverkeeper. Statements made by landowners and conservationsists highlighted the economic and environmental impacts of these proposals. The event was very informative and got great news coverage. Click here to see TV News coverage of the event: http://www.portlandmediamonitor.com/clients/jack_danger_093008.html
4) On October 6th we held a massively successful rally in Olympia, Washington to draw attention to impacts to that state and to encourage Washington Governor Gregoire to follow through on promises to sue FERC in the event that a rehearing is not granted on the Bradwood Landing permit. More than 100 LNG opponents were present to support Southwestern Washington residents that would be impacted by LNG and Pipeline development and to highlight the environmental and climate change impacts of LNG. We had many great speakers at the event including Jay Manning (Director of the Department of Ecology in Washington), George Exum (Chair of Wahkiakum Friends of the River) and Gyale Kizer (President of Landowners and Citizens for a Safe Community) -- to name a few.Thanks to everyone who came out to that event -- it had a great impact and again demonstrated the diversity of our coalition that is made up of impacted landowners, student activists, farmers, conservationists and people of all ages and political affiliations!
5) On October 10th a formal application was filed to FERC by Oregon LNG. This represents a new stage in that company's permitting process. Now, FERC will begin compiling a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for that project. Many serious concerns have already been raised about the location designated for that proposal -- The Skipanon Peninsula at the mouth of the Columbia River (in the town of Warrenton, OR) is an unstable sand spit within a tsunami zone and surrounded by fault lines on all sides. Oregon LNG is a project of Leucadia National which is the Manhattan-based company that stepped in to pick up the pieces from the bankrupted Calpine Corporation that disbanded after one year of pushing it's original LNG proposal for the same site. Oregon LNG is in the early stages of its federal permitting process and will be required, like Bradwood Landing and Jordan Cove LNG, to also obtain state and local level permits.
IN THE NEWS:
We have been all over the news in the last month and I am including here 5 key news items for folks to check out.
1) On September 16th we won the Clatsop County Pipeline Referendum with a NO vote! It was a huge victory for our coalition which won by a margin of 2:1 in this crucial election. The effect of that vote was two-fold. On one hand it demonstrated the true and staggering public opposition to LNG and associated pipelines -- a fact noticed by many Oregon Legislators. At the same time, because the voters of Clatsop County overturned one of the land use changes made by Clatsop County Commissioners, the referendum effectively invalidated the Land Use Compatibility Statement that Bradwood Landing is required to provide in order to obtain key state permits. In addition to the impact to permits and government leaders, the time and financial cost spent by Bradwood Landing/NorthernStar made this campaign very effective. Thanks to all of you who participated, volunteered and donated to that particular effort!
2) On September 18th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted a conditional permit to Bradwood Landing (proposed by Texas-based NorthernStar Natural Gas). This was an action that our entire coalition expected and that permit was met by strong opposition by members of our coalition as well as the State of Oregon and Washington. Governor Kulongoski and Governor Gregoire have strongly criticized FERC for issuing a permit based on a gravely inadequate Environmental Impact Statement and both states have promised to file a Petition for Rehearing and follow that with litigation if it is not granted by FERC. Columbia Riverkeeper and Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (among others) are also filing petition for rehearing based on the incompleteness of the EIS for that project. The issuance of the federal permit put the ball squarely in the states' court and now is our chance to demand the denial of other key permits for LNG development. With continued pressure on state agencies to rightfully deny key permits we will win this fight!
3) On September 30th, members of the Yamhill Valley OCAP and the Yamhill County LNG Citizens Advisory Committee organized and led a tour of farms and natural resources that would be impacted by proposed Palomar and Oregon LNG pipelines through their area. They were joined by members of their county commission and representatives from the offices of Rep. David Wu and Sen. Ron Wyden who listened to testimony from impacted landowners, agriculturalists and Brenna Bell of Willamette Riverkeeper. Statements made by landowners and conservationsists highlighted the economic and environmental impacts of these proposals. The event was very informative and got great news coverage. Click here to see TV News coverage of the event: http://www.portlandmediamonitor.com/clients/jack_danger_093008.html
4) On October 6th we held a massively successful rally in Olympia, Washington to draw attention to impacts to that state and to encourage Washington Governor Gregoire to follow through on promises to sue FERC in the event that a rehearing is not granted on the Bradwood Landing permit. More than 100 LNG opponents were present to support Southwestern Washington residents that would be impacted by LNG and Pipeline development and to highlight the environmental and climate change impacts of LNG. We had many great speakers at the event including Jay Manning (Director of the Department of Ecology in Washington), George Exum (Chair of Wahkiakum Friends of the River) and Gyale Kizer (President of Landowners and Citizens for a Safe Community) -- to name a few.Thanks to everyone who came out to that event -- it had a great impact and again demonstrated the diversity of our coalition that is made up of impacted landowners, student activists, farmers, conservationists and people of all ages and political affiliations!
5) On October 10th a formal application was filed to FERC by Oregon LNG. This represents a new stage in that company's permitting process. Now, FERC will begin compiling a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for that project. Many serious concerns have already been raised about the location designated for that proposal -- The Skipanon Peninsula at the mouth of the Columbia River (in the town of Warrenton, OR) is an unstable sand spit within a tsunami zone and surrounded by fault lines on all sides. Oregon LNG is a project of Leucadia National which is the Manhattan-based company that stepped in to pick up the pieces from the bankrupted Calpine Corporation that disbanded after one year of pushing it's original LNG proposal for the same site. Oregon LNG is in the early stages of its federal permitting process and will be required, like Bradwood Landing and Jordan Cove LNG, to also obtain state and local level permits.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Jim Scheller - Clatsop County Commission
I am asking you, the voters of District 2, to consider our shared hopes and dreams for the future of Clatsop County. Like you, I treasure our cultural heritage, our Columbia River, forests, beaches, and the families and institutions working to build a sustainable community. I promise responsible and thoughtful stewardship of these treasures.
For complete details click below:
http://scheller08.com/
For complete details click below:
http://scheller08.com/
Bob Goldberg - Ward 4, Astoria City Council
Bob is a teacher, writer, engineer, webmaster, actor, activist, volunteer whose goal is to provide representation for those persons and groups under-represented by the current city council, balancing the needs for growth and quality of life in our diverse community.
For more on Candidate Goldberg Click Below:
http://www.astoriabob.net/
For more on Candidate Goldberg Click Below:
http://www.astoriabob.net/
Monday, October 13, 2008
Who Is Joel Haugen?
Meet Joel
How I made it to Oregon...I grew up in Northern Minnesota, the youngest son of three children in a Scandinavian family of modest means, strong on the teaching of principles of honesty, integrity and patriotism. These core ideals were reinforced during my earliest employment, when I was fortunate enough to spend my high school years working for an extraordinary Minnesota legislator by the name of John McKee. John, who always insisted that I call him by his first name, consistently approached both life and politics with honesty, integrity and humility. One of John's pages was Wendell Anderson, who served in the Minnesota legislature and later married John's daughter Mary. Wendell subsequently served first in the Minnesota legislature, and then as governor, finally ending his political career as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota....Click On Thread Title Above For Full Details
How I made it to Oregon...I grew up in Northern Minnesota, the youngest son of three children in a Scandinavian family of modest means, strong on the teaching of principles of honesty, integrity and patriotism. These core ideals were reinforced during my earliest employment, when I was fortunate enough to spend my high school years working for an extraordinary Minnesota legislator by the name of John McKee. John, who always insisted that I call him by his first name, consistently approached both life and politics with honesty, integrity and humility. One of John's pages was Wendell Anderson, who served in the Minnesota legislature and later married John's daughter Mary. Wendell subsequently served first in the Minnesota legislature, and then as governor, finally ending his political career as a U.S. Senator from Minnesota....Click On Thread Title Above For Full Details
WSJ:Regional Personality Traits
SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
The United States of Mind
Researchers Identify Regional Personality Traits Across America
By STEPHANIE SIMON - The Wall Street Journal
Click On Thread Title For Complete Article
The United States of Mind
Researchers Identify Regional Personality Traits Across America
By STEPHANIE SIMON - The Wall Street Journal
Click On Thread Title For Complete Article
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Climate Solutions Offer Alternatives
Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025
How the Northwest Can Create Jobs, Enable Energy Independence, and Be a Global Clean-Energy LeaderMon Oct 6 2008
Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 concludes that five emerging clean-tech industry sectors offer the Pacific Northwest one of the best opportunities for sustained economic vitality and job growth.
It also charts the course for private and public investment and leadership to capitalize on the opportunity.
The study provides a comprehensive look at emerging green industries that are projected to provide high-paying jobs and a vital new economic base for the region.
It provides a grounded and realistic view of the region’s potential role in an increasingly competitive global clean-tech industry...Click On Thread Title For Complete Article
How the Northwest Can Create Jobs, Enable Energy Independence, and Be a Global Clean-Energy LeaderMon Oct 6 2008
Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 concludes that five emerging clean-tech industry sectors offer the Pacific Northwest one of the best opportunities for sustained economic vitality and job growth.
It also charts the course for private and public investment and leadership to capitalize on the opportunity.
The study provides a comprehensive look at emerging green industries that are projected to provide high-paying jobs and a vital new economic base for the region.
It provides a grounded and realistic view of the region’s potential role in an increasingly competitive global clean-tech industry...Click On Thread Title For Complete Article
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.
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.
Oregon LNG Files With F.E.R.C.
Last update: 4:42 p.m. EDT Oct. 10, 2008
WARRENTON, Ore., Oct 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, Oregon LNG filed its formal application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The filing represents a major milestone as the liquefied natural gas project proceeds toward permit approval.
"This filing demonstrates that Oregon LNG is moving ahead on schedule with the approvals process and, ultimately, toward project completion.
The formal application is important because it further demonstrates the feasibility of our project," said Peter Hansen, chief executive officer of Oregon LNG.
"From the beginning, our approach has been different. We focused on securing local approvals first, and then moved to the federal process," Hansen said.
As a result, Oregon LNG is the only LNG project in Oregon that has received its land use approvals and successfully completed the appeals process.
WARRENTON, Ore., Oct 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, Oregon LNG filed its formal application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The filing represents a major milestone as the liquefied natural gas project proceeds toward permit approval.
"This filing demonstrates that Oregon LNG is moving ahead on schedule with the approvals process and, ultimately, toward project completion.
The formal application is important because it further demonstrates the feasibility of our project," said Peter Hansen, chief executive officer of Oregon LNG.
"From the beginning, our approach has been different. We focused on securing local approvals first, and then moved to the federal process," Hansen said.
As a result, Oregon LNG is the only LNG project in Oregon that has received its land use approvals and successfully completed the appeals process.
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