Kulongoski's office expecting 'more of the same' as FERC decision on LNG nears
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 9:11 AM PDT
By Tony Lystra
Printable version
E-mail this articleIf anyone has the slightest idea what the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will decide Thursday when it discusses a liquefied natural gas terminal proposed for the Columbia River, they’re not saying. But a spokeswoman for Oregon Gov. Kulongoski said Monday that the agency certainly isn’t expected to listen carefully to the state’s concerns about the project.
“We expect more of the same,” said Jillian Schoene, the governor’s deputy communications director.
The federal agency, known as FERC, may decide Thursday whether to allow NorthernStar Natural Gas to build its LNG import terminal in Bradwood, Ore., across the river from Puget Island.
Kulongoski has insisted that the agency is ignoring key questions about how the terminal will affect the environment and surrounding communities. He’s also asked FERC to take into account whether an LNG terminal is the best way to meet Oregon’s energy needs.
“They’re just not willing to incorporate that comprehensive look at Oregon’s energy needs and how best to meet them,” Schoene said.
The governor has threatened to challenge FERC in court if the agency continues to deny his requests.
“The next step will be defined by this week’s events,” Schoene said.
FERC issued its final environmental impact statement for the project last month, declaring that the project will have “limited” impact on the region.
In a letter to FERC Friday, Kulongoski called the FEIS “fatally flawed” and called on the agency to withdraw the document and issue a more thorough environmental review.
The 560-page document brushes over important details about how the terminal will affect the environment and surrounding communities, Kulongoski said.
Questions also remain, the governor said, about safety and emergency planning. And there are differing opinions about whether an LNG terminal will be the most economical and environmentally safe source for the Northwest’s gas supplies.
Kulongoski urged FERC to hold off on any decision until Oregon has considered whether the project meets the standards of the Coastal Zone Management Act, Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The governor and other skeptics have long argued that FERC is too lax in its approach to the project and is ignoring the concerns of the people who will be most affected by the terminal.
Kulongoski noted in his letter last week that FERC denied his request in May to issue a supplemental environmental report answering the state’s concerns.
Columbia Riverkeeper, an environmental group fighting the terminal, scoffed at the FEIS last month, saying FERC’s seemingly indifferent attitude was a dream come true for any attorney seeking to challenge the document in court.
Joe Desmond, a spokesman for NorthernStar, stressed Monday that he doesn’t know what FERC will do Thursday, saying the agency may simply discuss procedural matters.
Still, NorthernStar CEO Si Garrett sent a letter to Kulongoski on Friday stressing that, even if FERC approves the project this week, his company still will have to get approvals from the state under Coastal Zone, air and water quality standards.
“We remain committed to work in good faith with Oregon’s resource agencies to meet the state’s standards to secure those permits,” Garrett said.
Recent related articles:
Kulongoski asks feds to halt decision on LNG (July 14)
LNG decision near? FERC to meet next week (July 11)
Baird asks feds to delay Bradwood decision (June 21)
Clatsop County LNG referendum makes ballot (June 21)
gimpy wrote on Jul 15, 2008 6:36 AM:
grams wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:16 AM:
philter wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:29 AM:
Also, I have been doing a little research and FERC normally issues a conditional order which still requires the company to obtain numerous permits, including the Coastal Zone, water permits, etc. so this is standard practice for the FERC and so the Governor is wrong that you dont need them before the FERC permit. Also, because the FERC permit has so many conditions in it, its really a preliminary permit and is no way a final permit for construction. The company still needs to jump through many hoops which can be blocked by numerous agencies. Northern Star's environmental analysis has holes in it, but in order to appease the political heads and get it through the federal permitting process, the FERC order puts a LOT of conditions on Northern Star requiring them to complete a lot of items before they can be approved to construct.
I am against this project but I dont think the Governor asking FERC to change their permitting process, which they have been doing for decades, is the most effective way to defeat this project. "
grams wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:03 AM:
Thoughtful wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:08 AM:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
NOTICE OF CHANGE IN MEETING AGENDA
(July 15, 2008)
Notice is hereby given that the following item has been struck from the
Commission Meeting scheduled for July 17, 2008:
ITEM NO. COMPANIES AND DOCKET NOS.
C-1 Bradwood Landing LLC, NorthernStar Energy LLC; Docket
Nos. CP06-365-000, CP06-366-00, CP06-376-000. CP06-
377-000
Kimberly D. Bose
Secretary "
philter25 wrote on Jul 15, 2008 12:48 PM:
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