Contacts:
Bethany Cotton, Cascadia Wildlands, (541) 434-1463
Allie Rosenbluth, Rogue Climate
Nathan Matthews, Sierra Club

After Years of Community Organizing, Jordan Cove LNG Export Terminal and Fracked Gas Pipeline Project is Dead

Pembina Announces It Has “Decided Not to Move Forward With the Project” and Asks the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to Cancel Its Permit

WASHINGTON, DC — Pembina, the Canadian company that tried to impose a fracked gas pipeline and export terminal on communities across Southern Oregon, today filed a formal request asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to cancel its permit for the project.
 
The company’s pipeline and export terminal subsidiaries “have decided not to move forward with the Project,” the request says.
 
They “remain concerned regarding their ability to obtain the necessary state permits in the immediate future in addition to other external obstacles,” the filing adds.
 
Pembina’s cancellation of this project follows years of opposition from a broad coalition of Oregonians concerned about risks to health and safety, climate change, environmental impacts, landowner rights, impacts on indigenous communities, and the need to shift to clean energy jobs instead of expanding fossil fuel use.
 
More than 50,000 Oregonians filed comments with state agencies when Pembina was unsuccessfully trying to show that it qualified for state permits. Tens of thousands attended public hearings over the past several years to express their opposition.
 
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality denied Pembina’s application for a Clean Water Act Section 401 permit in 2019 and Pembina withdrew their application for a removal-fill permit from the Oregon Department of State Lands in 2020. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce sustained Oregon’s objection to Jordan Cove LNG under the Coastal Zone Management Act and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission determined that Oregon had not waived its authority to deny the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification.
 
“This is amazing news. We knew the project wasn’t viable because of all the risks that it brought to our communities,” said Chairman Don Gentry of the Klamath Tribes. “I am thankful for the cooperative effort to bring about this victory. This is a significant relief for our members who have been so concerned about the impacts for our members and the region as a whole”    
 
“This is a great day for landowners along the pipeline route, and a great day for Oregon,” said Deb Evans, an impacted landowner.  “This has been a long time coming, and we are so relieved that the threat of eminent domain is no longer hanging over us.”  
 
“The defeat of this project shows what communities can accomplish when we insist that public officials put the public interest ahead of the special interests of big corporations,” said Hannah Sohl of Rogue Climate, an organizing group of residents of the South Coast and other Southern Oregonian counties. “Now, we need those same public officials to act with urgency to speed our transition to clean energy jobs and greater energy efficiency.”
 
“The Jordan Cove Energy Project has occupied our South Coast community and the State of Oregon for over 15 years,” says Mike Graybill, former director of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve. “Today’s long overdue decision provides an opportunity to move on to a discussion of a more sustainable future.” “Jordan Cove LNG finally recognizing that this ill-advised project will never be built represents a hard-fought victory for Oregon communities who have worked for more than a decade to protect their land and water from dangerous fracked gas infrastructure,” said Nathan Mathews, senior attorney at the Sierra Club. “The fossil fuel industry would have us believe that their plans for a massive expansion of gas exports are a done deal, but this is proof that that’s far from the case. We will continue to work alongside communities from coast to coast as they fight back against the industry’s destructive expansion plans.”
 
“For too long, Oregonians have been living under the cloud of a potential dirty fossil fuel project destroying our shores, waterways, wildlife, and livelihoods,” said Susan Jane Brown, Wildlands Program Director for the Western Environmental Law Center, and an attorney representing conservation interests challenging the Jordan Cove Energy Project.  “At long last, Pembina finally recognizes that Oregon is no place for fracked gas infrastructure.  Our coalition has proven that endless pressure endlessly applied will win the day.”
 
“This victory shows that we can accomplish great things when we collaborate together to fight against the destruction of our rivers and natural environment by the fossil fuel industry,” said Emily Bowes, Conservation Director at Rogue River Keeper.

“Pembina has finally admitted what we knew all along – Oregon communities would never stand aside to see this project built,” says Courtney Johnson, executive director of Crag Law Center. “We could not be more proud to have fought beside community members for more than 15 years to overturn local permits and convince state regulators of the flaws in this project.”

“Today we are celebrating the protection of public health in southern Oregon from this deadly and dangerous gas pipeline and LNG export terminal,” said David De La Torre, Healthy Climate Program Director with Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility. “When communities come together to safeguard clean air, drinking water, and a healthy climate, we grow ever closer to a world with justice for all.”
 
“At long last, the fifteen-year shadow over the proposed pipeline route and Coos Bay is lifted,” said Bethany Cotton, conservation director for Cascadia Wildlands. “Today we celebrate with the communities, Tribes, landowners, organizations, and individuals who diligently fought against long odds to keep their rivers, forests, ocean, airsheds, communities and our climate safe from this reckless proposed fracked gas pipeline and terminal: and won.”
 
“We applaud the tireless efforts of our fellow advocates, tribes, and landowners that led to the project owner’s decision to abandon this dangerous export terminal and pipeline project,” said Daniel E. Estrin, General Counsel and Advocacy Director for Waterkeeper Alliance. “While these ‘David vs. Goliath’ battles to protect our environment and climate from the fossil fuel industry often start with what feel like very long odds, we see time and again that when communities stand up and arm themselves with the law and science to fight for what’s right, we often beat those long odds. We especially appreciate the seriousness with which the State of Oregon took its responsibility throughout these proceedings to protect its residents, waterways, and our shared climate from disaster.”
 
From Lesley Adams, RRK Founder and Current Board Member, “Rogue Riverkeeper was founded in the early days of the Jordan Cove LNG proposal because we knew our rivers and fish and forests were more valuable than fossil fuels.”
 
“The nation needs to recognize Oregon for standing together and fighting this environmental monstrosity. Protect our Mother Earth as she gives us life and I pray to the creator for blessings for the Rogue Climate Organization as they are modern day warriors. Thank you.” Perry Chocktoot, director of the The Klamath Tribes Culture and Heritage Department. 

###

The post Press Release: Jordon Cove LNG Pipeline Project DEAD first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

Contact:
Allie Rosenbluth, Rogue Climate

Oregon Denial of Jordan Cove LNG Project Upheld by Federal Government

Decision marks yet another blow against the proposed fracked gas project and LNG terminal in Southern Oregon

[Washington, D.C.] — The proposed Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and fracked gas pipeline faced another massive blow today when the US Secretary of Commerce rejected a request to override the State of Oregon’s February 2020 denial of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) federal consistency review. This project cannot begin construction without approval of the CZMA federal consistency review. This is another enormous victory for communities across the region who have been fighting this project for over 15 years. 

“Pembina’s last-ditch effort to override Oregon’s authority to stop Jordan Cove LNG has failed,” said Allie Rosenbluth, Campaigns Director at Rogue Climate. “Oregonians and our state agencies know that this project is bad for our coast, climate, and communities. This victory is thanks to the thousands of people speaking out against this dangerous project. Together we will assure Jordan Cove LNG is never built and that our communities can focus on building local jobs in clean energy instead.”

“We are thrilled that Oregon’s decision is being upheld at the federal level to protect the coastal zone which runs from the peak of the Coast Range to the waves of the Pacific Ocean, from this dangerous and destructive project,” said Katy Eymann, President of Coos County organization Citizens for Renewables. “I am so thankful that the voices of many, many people living in our coastal zone have been heard and respected.”

The Coastal Zone Management Act provides that states may review projects requiring a federal permit for consistency with the state’s enforceable policies of its coastal management plan. In early 2020, Oregon found the Jordan Cove LNG project was inconsistent with the state’s coastal policies because of adverse effects to fisheries resources, endangered and threatened species, cultural resources, and several other grounds. 

The company appealed that decision, asking that the NOAA Administrator override the state’s objection. Today, the NOAA Administrator found that the company failed to meet its burden of showing that the project is consistent with the objectives of the CZMA. NOAA particularly noted the insufficiency of the record regarding impacts to endangered and threatened species, cultural and historic resources, and cumulative effects. 

“This company has tried to gloss over the devastating impacts of this project for years. NOAA’s decision represents a level of scrutiny deserving of such a massive and irreversible project, and finds the evidence lacking. Now that the state and the federal agency have spoken, it’s time for this project to be gone, once and for all,” said Courtney Johnson of Crag Law Center.

This is the second Oregon denial of Jordan Cove LNG upheld by the Federal Government in 2021. On January 19, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) upheld Oregon’s denial of the Clean Water Act 401 permit. Jordan Cove cannot be built without approvals from the State of Oregon under the Clean Water Act and Coastal Zone Management Act.

“This is some light at the end of the tunnel as we continue to fight for the safety of our communities and our water systems. This decision means that Pembina can’t roll over Oregon’s authority, rural communities, and Indigenous livelihoods. This happened because of the work of so many landowners, community groups, and Tribal voices coming together to advocate for our public and environmental health,” said Paul Wilson, Klamath Tribal member.

“Today’s decision is welcome news; however, because FERC continues to put the cart before the horse and approve conditional orders, we are still threatened with eminent domain,” said Deb Evans, an affected landowner challenging the 2020 FERC approval. “Congress and the Biden Administration need to insist FERC reverse or stay its decision until all applicable permits are approved.”  

“We commend the federal government for firmly aligning with impacted landowners, communities, the state of Oregon and the best available science in rejecting yet another required approval for this climate-destroying proposed project,” said Bethany Cotton, Conservation Director for Cascadia Wildlands. “It is long past time for the proponents to acknowledge they do not and cannot comply with key environmental safeguards and permanently withdraw the dangerous proposal – we encourage them to do so now.”

###

The post Federal Government Rejects Request to Overturn Oregon’s Denial of LNG Project first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

What a wonderful week for Cascadia!

TUESDAY

On Tuesday, the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and 230-mile Pacific Connector pipeline was dealt what we hope is a fatal blow by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which – in a surprise but welcomed move – denied the fossil fuel company’s request to strip Oregon of its Clean Water Act authority. Oregon previously denied Jordan Cove this essential permit – a decision that now stands. Cascadia’s staff, allies, and supporters like you have fought Jordan Cove for 15 years: it’s long past time the threat of this dangerous proposal is lifted from our rural communities, affected Tribes, remaining old-growth, imperiled species, waterways, and our climate.

Later in the day, Washington’s Department of Ecology denied a key permit for the proposed Kalama methanol refinery in Kalama, Washington, effectively killing the project. The proposed refinery would have tied this Washington community to a dirty fossil fuel project for a generation and undermined progress to address climate change.

These two victories — rooted in sustained grassroots activism — demonstrate the power of advocacy, of working across difference: landowners, students, conservationists, Tribes, all coming together in common cause to realize a better, cleaner future.

WEDNESDAY

Then came Wednesday when we woke to a list from the incoming Biden-Harris administration of over 100 anti-environment regulations it intends to review, including the removal of Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves, the stripping of 3.4-million acres of critical habitat for the northern spotted owl, exemption of the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Rule, dangerous regulations limiting or eliminating public engagement on projects that imperil our environment, like reckless timber sale planning. Some of these efforts will take time, but they are a very positive signal that the administration intends to prioritize undoing much of the harm done over the past four years.

A few hours later, once formally in office, the administration withdrew the Keystone XL pipeline permit, rejoined the Paris Climate Accord (effective in 30 days), ended the construction of the border wall, placed a moratorium on leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and ordered a review of the shrinkage of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, and the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument. The new White House Press Secretary explained these were just the initial actions and noted the need to study the “social cost of greenhouse gas emissions,” clearly acknowledging the existential threats posed by climate change.

THURSDAY

And yesterday, we learned that in response to our administrative protest, the Bureau of Land Management withdrew the 62-acre Beaver Creek timber sale in the Umpqua Field Office of the Coos Bay District along with the entire Environmental Assessment. The proposed logging was in potential nesting habitat for the imperiled marbled murrelet and northern spotted owl in forest areas with trees up to 129 years old. The project had potential negative cumulative impacts with the proposed Pacific Connector pipeline and additional timber sales, as well as increasing fire risk to a rural community, and impacting residential water sources. The agency will now engage in new environmental analysis.

As National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman said at the presidential inauguration, “there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

Thank you for being the light these past four years, these past two-plus decades. We are looking forward to holding this administration accountable to its promises, to pushing it to do more to conserve and recover the wilds of Cascadia and beyond, and to celebrating more victories with you all.

It has been an inspiring first week, and together, we will accomplish so much for Cascadia.

The post BLOG: A Week to Remember first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

Contact
Gabe Scott, 541.434.1463, gscott@cascwild.org
| Originally posted by Allie Rosenbluth, Rouge Climate, 541-816-2240, allie@rogueclimate.org |

Oregonians Unite to Demand Rehearing on Jordan Cove LNG Federal Approval
The Klamath Tribes, affected landowners, and public interest organizations request rehearing on fracked gas export terminal and pipeline in southern Oregon.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Klamath Tribes, impacted landowners, and over 25 public interest organizations submitted a joint request for rehearing to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on its decision to conditionally approve the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline. The broad coalition’s rehearing request challenges FERC’s imbalanced and inadequate review of the Jordan Cove LNG proposal.

The joint rehearing request, filed by Sierra Club on behalf of organizations including Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman’s Associations and League of Women Voters chapters in the four impacted counties, asks FERC to withdraw its approval of Jordan Cove LNG and redo its environmental, public convenience and necessity, and public interest analyses of the project. The rehearing request argues that the project is not in the public interest because of significant adverse effects to public health and safety, Tribal resources, private property rights, the environment, and the climate.

“Today, as always, the mission of the Klamath Tribes is to protect, preserve, and enhance the spiritual, cultural, and physical values and resources of the Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin Peoples by maintaining the customs and heritage of our ancestors,” said Chairman of the Klamath Tribes, Don Gentry. “The Klamath Tribes have resolved that all of its cultural resources are sacred, and are opposed to the many actions planned with the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP) that will destroy or otherwise impact the sacred cultural resources. ”

This March, FERC approved Jordan Cove LNG with the condition that the project must qualify for critical permits from the state of Oregon, three of which have already been denied or withdrawn, before construction can begin. FERC made this determination as the country was adapting to address the global public health crisis of COVID-19, adding the threat of eminent domain and major pipeline and terminal construction to communities sheltering in place in southern Oregon. However, the FERC conditional approval does allow Pembina, the Canadian fossil fuel corporation behind Jordan Cove LNG, to start the process of seizing  private property of Oregon landowners against their wishes through eminent domain.

“It is unconscionable that a for-profit corporation can exercise eminent domain against Oregon landowners for a pipeline already denied multiple times by our own state government,” said Stacey McLaughlin, an impacted landowner in Douglas County. “The taking of our property so a Canadian fossil fuel corporation can export its gas to Asia makes a mockery of our Constitutional rights. Every American should be alarmed by this threat to our liberty.”

“Pembina has been unable to secure any of the necessary state permits to build in Oregon because there’s no getting around the fact that this project would pose an unacceptable threat to Oregon’s communities and waterways and is clearly not in the public interest. It’s disappointing that FERC failed to recognize this, and we urge them to reconsider this misguided decision,” said Sierra Club Senior Attorney Nathan Matthews. “Regardless, FERC’s approval does nothing to change the fact that this fracked gas export terminal has no path forward and will never be built.”

“Jordan Cove LNG would harm recreation, our local fishing industry and the health of the bay, in addition to threatening the safety of thousands in Coos County,” said Jody McAffree of Coos County organization Citizens for Renewables. “Over 15 years Jordan Cove LNG has not moved forward because people who live and work in the impacted communities have challenged the ill-conceived project at every turn. Now we’re taking our fight to the federal level and won’t stop until the project is gone for good.”

Last week, Jordan Cove LNG submitted its own rehearing request regarding FERC’s approval of their own project. The company is asking FERC to reconsider conditions including authorization from the State of Oregon under the Coastal Zone Management Act and compliance with the Traditional Cultural Property that protects cultural resources of Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw in Coos Bay.

“By challenging their own approval, Jordan Cove LNG is showing that they cannot meet Oregon standards and that they need the rules changed in order to move their project forward,” said Allie Rosenbluth, Campaigns Director of Rogue Climate. “The State of Oregon, and communities across the region, have already made it clear that there’s no getting around these rules for this project that would cause irreparable harm to clean water, the climate, and coastal communities. It’s time for Pembina to give up and withdraw this project immediately.”

###

The opposition to the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline consists of impacted landowners, Tribal members, commercial fishermen, youth, health professionals, and community leaders from four impacted southern Oregon counties and regional allies. We seek to protect our health and safety, resources, and way of life by ensuring that this harmful project is never built.

The post Press Release: Oregonians Demand Rehearing of Pipeline Project Approval first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

March 19, 2020
| Originally posted by Hannah Sohl, Rogue Climate |

[WASHINGTON D.C.] In the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic and national health emergency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) conditionally approved the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline today. The approval is conditioned on Pembina, the Canadian fossil fuel corporation behind the project, qualifying for critical permits from the state of Oregon, three of which have already been denied or withdrawn.

The post Despite Permit Denials and Current Public Health Crisis, Federal Agency Approves Jordan Cove LNG first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

FEBRUARY 20, 2020 | On the heals of yesterday’s State of Oregon denial of yet another necessary permit for the Jordan Cove LNG Project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this morning voted 2-1 to delay the Trump administration’s approval process.

This is another significant blow to the Canadian energy company, Pembina, which is proposing to build a 230-mile feeder pipeline through southern Oregon in order to move fracked gas to Coos Bay, where it would be shipped overseas to be burned.

In their denial, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) determined that the impacts of Jordan Cove LNG would be too great on Oregon’s coastal communities and environment.

Read more about yesterday’s permit denial by the state of Oregon and FERC’s 2-1 vote in opposition this morning.

After 15 years, the corporations behind the Jordan Cove LNG Project have failed to qualify for multiple necessary state and federal permits to build the 230-mile pipeline and associated LNG export terminal in Coos Bay. If built, the Jordan Cove Project would threaten over 400 waterways and impact drinking water for thousands of Oregonians. Construction of the pipeline would require a 95-foot clearcut along the entire pipeline length, destroying healthy public lands, harming tribal resources, and trampling private landowner rights.

In May 2019, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality denied a key Clean Water Act permit because Pembina could not demonstrate the project would meet water quality standards. In January 2020, the Oregon Department of State Lands denied Pembina’s request for an extension on a necessary dredging permit due to the corporation not providing requested information about project impacts.

While it still remains unclear how the Trump administration’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will ultimately rule, it is clear the state of Oregon continues to stand up for the people, clean water, wildlands, species, and climate, which would be profoundly impacted by this reckless fossil fuel export scheme.

Thank you for staying active in this fight!

Your voice has helped our diverse and potent coalition get this far, and with your continued advocacy, we can win.

Jordan Cove LNG Project Permitting Timeline

• 2016: FERC denied this project, then lead by Alberta-based energy company Veresen, because Veresen had not demonstrated the need for the project, and that the benefits from the project would not outweigh the harm done to individual landowners to justify the use of eminent domain.
• May 6, 2019: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) delivered a major blow to the Jordan Cove LNG Project by denying the Clean Water Act Section 401 permit because Pembina could not demonstrate that they would meet Oregon’s clean water standards.
• January 21, 2020: Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) rejected a request from Pembina to extend the permitting deadline for the project.
• January 24, 2020: Anticipating a permit denial, Pembina withdrew its state lands permit application entirely.
• February 19, 2020: Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) denied the Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Certification, marking the third key state permit Pembina failed to obtain.
• February 20, 2020: FERC did not issue an approval for the Jordan Cove Project, citing a need to understand Oregon’s denial the night before; they provided no indication of when it would revisit Pembina’s application.

The post FERC Votes 2-1 to Not Move Fracked Gas Pipeline Forward! first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

On Tuesday, DSL issued a rejection of a request for Pembina to extend the agencies timeline, noting the Canadian fossil fuel corporation had still not provided adequate information after multiple extensions.

“It is outrageous that Pembina has withdrawn their application just a few days before the Department of State Lands was set to make a decision,” said Mike Graybill, Former Manager of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and resident of Coos County. “Again and again, we have seen this Canadian fossil fuel corporation not playing by the same rules any other company would have to for a project of this size.”

“I was one of hundreds who spoke out against this project at the Department of State Lands hearing in Klamath Falls because the proposed pipeline threatens our watersheds, forests, culture, ancestral homelands, burial sites and future,” said 17-year old member of the Klamath Tribes Ashia Wilson.

“Jordan Cove LNG would do tremendous harm to Oregon communities in the path of the pipeline, and they clearly did not meet the bar to get this permit,” said Stacey Detwiler of Rogue Riverkeeper. “This project is not consistent with the protection, conservation, or best use of Oregon’s waters. Director Vicki Walker and Oregon DSL created a fair public process, and now Pembina is backing out so that they don’t have to play by the rules.”

The Removal-Fill permit is a critical state permit needed by Pembina to build its proposed fracked gas export terminal, dredge millions of cubic feet of sediment out of Coos Bay for LNG tankers, and construct a pipeline through and under hundreds of waterways in Southern Oregon. The project cannot move forward without it.

Under Oregon law, DSL has the authority to deny permits for projects that are not consistent with the protection, conservation, or best use of Oregon’s waters and that unreasonably interfere with navigation, fishing, or public recreation.

Approximately 49,000 comments were submitted by impacted landowners, Tribal members and Governments, commercial fishermen, small business owners, health professionals, youth, and many more Oregonians concerned about the impacts the fossil fuel project would have on hundreds of waterways in southwest Oregon. Close to 3,000 rural Southern Oregon residents spoke out against the project at overflowing DSL hearings in Klamath County, Jackson County, Douglas County, and Coos County. In November, nearly 1,000 people rallied in opposition to Jordan Cove LNG at the state capitol building.

“Thousands of southern Oregonians showed up to hearings and submitted comments in opposition to this project,” said Hannah Sohl of Rogue Climate. “Pembina wasted more than two years of taxpayers’ time pushing for this state agency’s approval even though it was obvious the project could never meet the state standards that protect our fisheries, rural communities, and waterways.”

Other permitting processes, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s certification under the Natural Gas Act, are still moving forward. However, the project cannot proceed without the Removal-Fill permit or the Clean Water Act permit that was denied by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in May 2019. Oregon DEQ denied the Clean Water Act Section 401 permit with over 200 pages of detailed findings that the massive LNG export terminal and pipeline could not demonstrate that they would meet Oregon’s clean water standards.

“If they have to withdraw an application like this after 15 years of outside companies trying to get approval, then it’s time for them to withdraw the project altogether.” Stacey McLaughlin, an impacted Douglas County landowner. “Leave Oregon farmers, fishermen, ranchers, and tribal members alone. It’s time for Pembina to cancel this project. Oregon doesn’t want this pipeline.”

Impacted landowners, tribal members, fishermen, climate advocates, and more will be hosting a Press Conference in response to this application withdrawal at 9:30AM on Tuesday, February 4th at the Department of State Lands building in Salem.

The post Jordan Cove Withdraws Removal Fill Application! first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

Sam Krop, Cascadia Wildlands, sam@old.cascwild.org, 541-434-1463
Allie Rosenbluth, Rogue Climate,  allie@rogueclimate.org, 703-298-3639

OREGON AGENCY SAYS NO TO JORDAN COVE LNG PROJECT
Oregon denies critical clean water act permit for Jordan Cove LNG 

[SALEM, OR] – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) today delivered a potentially fatal blow to the Jordan Cove LNG project and the Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline which has faced fierce opposition for more than a decade by a grassroots coalition of impacted landowners, anglers, small business owners, tribal members, health professionals, and many more Oregonians and Northern Californians.

In today’s action, Oregon DEQ denied the Clean Water Act Section 401 permit because the massive LNG export terminal and pipeline could not demonstrate that they would meet Oregon’s clean water standards. Jordan Cove LNG and the Pacific Connector Pipeline cannot be built without the state permit. With their denial, DEQ released 200 pages of detailed findings about how the project does not meet Oregon’s water quality standards.

DEQ notes that “DEQ does not have a reasonable assurance that the construction and authorization of the project will comply with applicable Oregon water quality standards.”

This decision follows a record-breaking public comment period that closed last August in which 42,000 people submitted comments raising concerns about the impact the Jordan Cove LNG project would have on fishing, recreation, public drinking water, and the economy of southern Oregon.

“Oregon’s decision shows that when we come together and speak out, we can win,” said Hannah Sohl, Director of Rogue Climate, one of the organizations involved in a broad coalition opposing the LNG project. “For years, a record number of Oregonians have urged Gov. Brown and Oregon agencies to put the public interest over the special interests of Canadian fossil fuel corporation Pembina. It is great to see Oregon DEQ do just that. Oregon should be focused on creating good-paying jobs in renewable energy, not on new fossil fuel projects that hurt us all.”

“Today’s denial is great news for our Klamath Tribal members and other Oregon citizens that have been concerned about protecting  fisheries and Oregon’s waters. The impact this project would have on our waterways is only one of many reasons the Jordan Cove LNG project should be stopped for good,” said Chairman Don Gentry of the Klamath Tribes. “The Klamath Tribes are very encouraged that the state of Oregon is making this move to protect clean water, cultural resources, and our traditional territory.”

“For 15 years, we have known that this project would harm our local Coos Bay area – threatening our public safety, our estuary, and our fishing,” said Jody McCaffree, a Coos Bay activist who has fought the Jordan Cove LNG since first learning about it 15 years ago. “I am so relieved to see the State of Oregon take this stand for a healthy Coos Bay community and clean water in our state. We will remain vigilant until this project is dead and gone.”

“Today’s decision shows that the state of Oregon is standing up for our clean water and our communities,” said Stacey Detwiler of Rogue Riverkeeper. “Despite efforts from the Trump administration to weaken the Clean Water Act, this decision reflects the threat to our waters from the project and the impact of overwhelming public opposition.”

This decision comes on the heels of Pembina announcing last week that they are cutting their projected spending for 2019 in half and are delaying the proposed launch date of the export facility by a year as they wait for state and federal regulators to make decisions on project permits.

Other permitting periods like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) are still moving forward. The comment period on the DEIS is open until July 5th, and hearings are expected to take place across southern Oregon in late June. However, the project cannot be built without the Clean Water Act permit.

“Oregon DEQ’s decision to deny this permit will now allow Oregon landowners to get on with our lives after 15 yeaars of living under the threat of eminent domain,” said affected landowner in Klamath County,  Deb Evans. “We are incredibly thankful for Oregon DEQ’s decision to deny this permit.”

“We are pleased Oregon DEQ followed the law and the science. DEQ concluded the risks to our water, wildlife, and communities were simply too great to allow this project to go forward,” said Andrew Hawley, staff attorney for the Western Environmental Law Center. “This decision shows that the Clean Water Act still works in Oregon to protect our citizens, our rivers, and our fish.”

“Today’s DEQ decision is a win for the public health of all Oregonians,” said Patricia Kullberg, MD, MPH of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility. “The Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline would degrade drinking water for nearly 160,000 Oregonians and threaten the health of babies, pregnant women, the elderly, low income communities and communities of color. This is what the Clean Water Act was meant to do: protect the environment and public health by keeping our water safe and clean.”

“We’re thrilled that the state of Oregon is standing up for Oregon’s drinking water, local fisheries, and world class waterways by denying this project,” said Sam Krop of Cascadia Wildlands. “This denial should show Pembina their fracked gas project isn’t wanted in Oregon.”

“As we’ve said all along, it’s never a question of whether a pipeline and fossil fuel facility will threaten our communities and waterways, it’s a matter of when. We applaud the recognition — once again — of the dangers Jordan Cove and the Pacific Connector pose, and for the DEQ rejecting them. Today’s decision is a reminder that the people’s power, no matter the attempts from corporate polluters and the Trump administration, will never be silenced,” said Rhett Lawrence, Conservation Director with the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.

“Frontline organizations across the state oppose the fracked gas pipeline. We believe Oregon needs a Green New Deal that transitions us from dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure to green jobs and community-controlled, clean and renewable energy, and it begins by ending bad projects like this one” said Janaira Ramirez, Coalition Organizer with the Oregon Just Transition Alliance.

“Pipelines always leak. They violate tribal and rural communities’ land and water rights. Fossil fuels make a few people wealthy as they degrade our air and water and exacerbate climate breakdown. We hope DEQ continues to protect the quality of our sacred environment from insatiable corporate greed,” said Khanh Pham, Organizing Director with OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon.

The DEQ denial is linked here.

###

The post Press Release: Critical Jordan Cove LNG Permit Denied by Oregon first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

More information about this pipeline scheme found here.

On Tuesday, January 15, 2019 the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) will hear from the public about whether Jordan Cove’s Removal-Fill permit should be denied or approved. This is one of the state permits that, if denied, would stop the Jordan Cove LNG even if the Federal Government approves the project. The removal-fill permit for the Jordan Cove Energy Project covers the three main elements of the project: 1) the liquefied natural gas (LNG) slip and access channel; 2) the LNG terminal; and 3) the fracked natural gas pipeline.

[maxbutton id=”39″]

Rally begins at 4pm outside of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, followed by a public comment hearing from 5:30-8pm inside. This is the chance for community members outside of South Oregon to speak out against this project. Wear red to show solidarity with our mighty coalition and bring your signs, your friends and your spirit as we demonstrate our opposition to this toxic fracked gas project! * Wear RED to show your solidarity with fracked gas resistors across Oregon! *

A few documents to help you comment: DSL Comment Writing Guide and Giving Testimony Guide

Carpool information:

• From Corvallis: Carpool meets 2:30 pm on 1st st. behind Super 8
• From Eugene: Meet at FUMC (1376 Olive St.) at 2:15. Buses Leave at 2:30. **Important: reserve your seat via e-mail: 350Eugene@gmail.com** You must register by Jan 12th. Register asap. Seats are going fast! (Free – Donations are welcome)

Submit your comments online here.

The comment deadline is February 3, 2019, at 5:00 p.m. Comments must be received by this date and time to be considered.

DSL asks that all attendees contribute to a respectful setting and productive public comment hearing by following the Ground Rules & Comment Process. Your comments may also be submitted in these ways:

• By web form on the DSL website. Please note: attachments cannot be added to the web form.
• By email to DSL at jordancove@dsl.state.or.us. Please note: this is a new email address. All comments submitted to the previous address have been added to the comment record.
• By fax to DSL Coordinator Bob Lobdell at 503-378-4844
• By postal mail to Jordan Cove comments, Oregon Department of State Lands, 775 Summer St. N.E., Ste 100, Salem, Ore.

The post Join Us for a Rally Against the Fracked Gas Pipeline – January 15, 2019 first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

The post Sign-Up for LNG Rally Carpools — August 16, 2018 first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.