Labor groups endorse LNG terminal
Saturday, July 21, 2007 11:48 PM PDT
By Tony Lystra
Printable version
E-mail this articleTo major labor groups have endorsed NorthernStar Natural Gas's plan to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River, according to the company.
The Washington Machinist's Council and the Oregon Machinists Council passed separate resolutions supporting construction of the $600 million terminal, NorthernStar said.
The facility, known as Bradwood Landing, would unload and store liquified gas brought up the Columbia on specially built supertankers.
"What I like about it is it's going to bring in a whole lot of construction work for a whole lot of people," said Steve Fluke, of the International Association of Machinists, which is affiliated with the two labor groups.
Fluke, based in Gladstone, Ore., also said the LNG industry has "a good, environmentally sound track record," adding, "It's no worse than anything that's on the river, I'll guarantee you."
In a statement issued by NorthernStar, Dan Sass, the executive secretary of the Oregon Machinist's Council, said his group is "impressed with the commitment NorthernStar Natural Gas has shown to work with the skilled trades, in both Oregon and Washington in the development of Bradwood Landing.
Also in the statement, Washington Machinists Council president Don E. Hursey said he favors the project because the region needs additional gas supplies. Hursey also noted that NorthernStar had established a training program at Clatsop Community College to teach skills workers will need to build and run the terminal.
NorthernStar's plans also have been endorsed by the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council, the Building Trades Council of Longview and Local 1707 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in Longview.
The terminal has faced staunch opposition from critics who say it would pose safety and environmental risks and that tight security measures would slow commercial river traffic.
Congressman Brian Baird came out against the terminal in March. Washington Sen. Brian Hatfield and Reps. Dean Takko and Brian Blake also have spoken out against the terminal.
The Oregon and Washington Machinists Councils represent thousands of machinists, including many in the aerospace industries.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has the final say about whether the terminal is built.
Past Month's Most Commented Stories