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that the project must qualify for critical permits from the state of Oregon, three of which have already been denied or withdrawn, before construction can begin.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.”

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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.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

OREGON – Despite the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, on Thursday, March 19 a politically unbalanced Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the Jordan Cove Energy Project and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline over the objections of numerous state, federal, and local stakeholders and decision makers (details here.)

Shortly after the FERC decision on Thursday, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) issued a statement on Thursday, explaining his opposition to the project:

“A few days ago, Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell stacked the decks when yet another Republican commissioner was confirmed to FERC, leaving the Commission unbalanced. This is despite current law that says the FERC should be an independent and bipartisan commission. Today, a stacked and incomplete FERC approved the controversial and complicated Jordan Cove project. There was no rush. A balanced and full FERC should have made the decision. If that’s not bad enough, the Commission has decided to disregard local private property rights and environmental concerns identified by Oregonians. Both shortcomings and additional ones have been documented in the strong objections to the Jordan Cove project by three Oregon state regulatory agencies. All this adds up to a clearly rigged process designed to advance Trump-McConnell corporate interests over Oregonians. All these violations are contrary to everything the Oregon Way stands for – fairness, transparency and accountability. I now have to oppose this project.”

Senator Ron Wyden now joins Senator Jeff Merkley, Representative Peter DeFazio, Oregon State legislators Senator Jeff Golden, Senator James Manning, Senator Michael Dembrow, Representative Pam Marsh, Representative Tawna Sanchez, and the Jackson County Commissioners in opposing the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline.

Also, after the FERC decision on Thursday Oregon Governor Kate Brown, who has remained neutral on the project and has previously committed that the Jordan Cove LNG project must meet all state requirements for the protection of Oregon’s citizens and natural resources, issued a clear statement  about FERC’s decision:

“I want to reiterate that I will not stand for any attempt to ignore Oregon’s authority to protect public safety, health, and the environment. I have asked the state’s lawyers to consider all appropriate legal action to assure that Oregon permitting processes will be followed. And let me be clear to the concerned citizens of Southwest Oregon: Until this project has received every single required permit from state and local agencies, I will use every available tool to prevent the company from taking early action on condemning private property or clearing land.”

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) expressed his opposition to the Jordan Cove LNG project in a 2017 guest opinion titled “Create jobs without jeopardizing our future,” stating:

“Jordan Cove will contribute massively to pollution that is profoundly damaging our state and our world. Generations from now, our grandchildren will wonder why we continued to burn fossil fuels when the catastrophic consequences were so evident. Thus, it becomes clear that we have to shift from building large-scale fossil fuel infrastructure, including Jordan Cove, and instead invest massively in building the enormous backlog of infrastructure projects that will improve our state and nation, not damage it.”

Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-4) added his voice to those opposing the project in 2019, explaining:

“I do not support the Jordan Cove LNG terminal for the following reasons: The federal approval process is run by unelected political appointees, the project tramples on private property rights, and it will exacerbate the urgent and immediate threat of climate change.”

Oregon State Senator Jeff Golden (SD 3) and Oregon State Representative Pam Marsh (HD 5), decried the timing of FERC’s decision, noting Friday:

“[Jordan Cove LNG] has repeatedly failed to secure necessary approvals from Oregon state agencies. In the wake of outright denials and objections from the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Land Conservation and Development, Pembina withdrew their application to the Division of State Lands just before it would have been rejected. The fact is that on multiple fronts, the Jordan Cove/Pacific Connector Pipeline proposal falls dramatically short of the minimum environmental standards that guide Oregon’s decisions on natural resources…We will stand with Oregon state officials in taking every lawful step to prevent that from happening. And we will continue to stand with tens of thousands of Oregonians ready to take every lawful step to ensure that the Jordan Cove/Pacific Connector Pipeline project is never constructed.”

 The Jackson County Commissioners have long opposed the Jordan Cove LNG project and sent detailed concerns to the Oregon Department of State Lands in 2019:

“The Jackson County Board of Commissioners is unanimously opposed to the Jordan Cove Pipeline project. The proposed Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline has not been adequately planned…”

*       *       *

Communities and individuals across Southern Oregon have opposed the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and fracked gas pipeline for more than 15 years. Tens of thousands of Oregonians from across the political spectrum have worked together to educate our neighbors and decision makers about the irreparable environmental, safety, social, and economic impacts of the project, which would become the largest single-source of climate pollution in the state if built. The State of Oregon has already denied critical state permits that Jordan Cove LNG cannot move forward without, even with FERC’s recent approval.

During this very challenging time and on behalf of the numerous organizations, impacted landowners, businesses, and others who have worked tirelessly to defeat this handout to Canadian fossil fuel special interests, we thank our Oregon leaders for standing up for Oregonians, public and private lands, wildlife, clean water, and our shared climate.

Co-signed by:

Andrew Napell * Barbara Brown * C2 Cattle Co. * Clarence and Stephany Adams * Craig and Stacey McLaughlin * Frank Adams * John Clarke * Kenneth and Kristine Cates *Linda and Mike Craig * Larry and Sylvia Mangan * Jody McCaffree * Pamela Brown Ordway * Patsy R. and John M. Roberts, Jr. * Ron Schaaf and Deb Evans * Russ and Sandy Lyon * Tammy Bray and John Caughell * Wendy and William McKinley * Jim and Joan Dahlman * Mitzi Sulffridge * Nichols Bros. Inc. * Tim and Natalie Ranker * 350 Corvallis * 350 PDX * Cascadia Wildlands * Citizens For Renewables/Citizens Against LNG * Greater Good Oregon * Hair on Fire Oregon * Institute for Fisheries Resources * Landowners United * Oregon Coast Alliance * Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility * Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition * Oregon Wild * Oregon Women’s Land Trust * Our Land, Our Lives * Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations * Pipeline Awareness Southern Oregon * Rogue Climate * Rogue Riverkeeper * Sierra Club, Oregon Chapter * Stop Fracked Gas PDX * Trout Unlimited * Western Environmental Law Center

The post Organizations opposing Jordan Cove LNG thank Oregon leaders 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.

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.

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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.

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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.

On a spotless, windy morning on July 1, over 50 concerned citizens gathered around a boat launch on the North Spit of Coos Bay to explore the place that would be most impacted by the construction of the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas export terminal. The event was organized by Cascadia Wildlands in conjunction with the University of Oregon’s Outdoor Program for the purpose of bringing fracked gas resistors from across Oregon to Ground Zero of the pipeline fight.

We planned to get a view of the project area from land and water, with outings both on kayaks and on foot in the network of trails around the North Spit. This process of field checking is a tried and true tactic that land defenders use to not only strengthen the relationship between activists and the places we’re working to defend, but also to collect data through observation and citizen science that can be used to submit comments and better resist harmful projects.

At the boat ramp that morning, we were joined by residents from Portland, Eugene, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Coos Bay, and as far south as San Francisco. A typical field-checking trip will bring in anywhere from a handful to a couple dozen people, so this showing of over 50 people highlighted just how many are invested in stopping this project. This is no surprise. Jordan Cove’s associated 230-mile Pacific Connector Pipeline would bisect southwest Oregon, cross five major rivers and over 400 waterways, clearcut a path through 70 miles of public forest, and impact 28 species protected under the Endangered Species Act. It would threaten traditional tribal territories and sacred burial grounds, and require the government’s use of eminent domain against unwilling landowners. The export terminal itself would be built in a tsunami zone along a well-used and relatively unmarred shoreline.

Of course people were interested: this is the largest fossil fuel project proposed in the state of Oregon.

In the crowd gathering around the boat ramp were parents, grandparents, students, children, activists, and landowners whose property is directly in the proposed path of the pipeline. Although we knew that there are a lot of folks resisting this project, looking around at everyone who had given up a summer Sunday to field check the area, it was obvious that our community of resistance spans farther than many would guess.

Before setting off to explore, we gathered for an orientation. We discussed the background of the project, noting that this is the third iteration of the proposal (the reason why we call it the zombie pipeline), and that in the past, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) denied the project because it was not deemed beneficial for the public.

We passed out project maps and plans showing where the terminal would be built and what would go into the facility. In pouring over these maps, many people were surprised by just how massive this project would be. Aside from the gargantuan LNG terminal itself, the project includes the construction of administration buildings, housing for workers, an access and utility corridor, and of course, the widening and deepening of the Coos Bay channel to facilitate the large tankers required to transport the super-cooled liquid gas from the terminal to buyers in Asia. Comparing the maps to where we were standing, it was clear that this project would turn a quiet, relatively untouched coastline into a major industrial center.

With maps in hand, we set off in groups to explore areas in and around the proposed project. The first brave kayaking group geared up and headed to their launch site at Jordan Point. The winds were heavy, gusting up to 20 mph, but the group managed to get around the point and into Jordan Cove, where folks beached and explored on foot the area where the pipeline would enter and connect with the access corridor to get to the terminal.

Meanwhile, other groups set off to explore the North Spit trails and the coastline where the LNG terminal itself would be built.

In our explorations, we found thriving and intact wetland, native and threatened plants like the silvery phacelia and wolf’s evening primrose, oyster and clam habitat and nesting areas for the threatened snowy plover. We also saw locals fishing, clamming, hiking, swimming and generally enjoying this place that they know as their backyard playground. While the winds were too strong for much kayaking, our group spent a total of five hours trekking the area on foot and set eyes on every place that the terminal construction would touch. We walked the coastline from the boat launch north to the Roseburg laydown site, from Jordan point south through Jordan Cove, and all along the North Spit where dredging would occur along the shore.

Each of us field checking came to the table with different skills, experiences, and reasons for resisting this project. At the end of the day, though, we were able to unite around a shared love for the North Spit of Coos Bay and an understanding that this terminal cannot be built.

When we were done field checking for the day, our group reconvened at the local brewery for some refreshing drinks and a debrief. At the brewery, we completely filled the space with fracked gas resistors (photo at right) where locals and landowners stood on chairs to address the group, and share their stories and reasons for not wanting to see the pipeline go through. Listening to them speak, many of us couldn’t help but get teary eyed and angry at this obviously irresponsible and destructive proposal. At the same time, being in that space together emboldened us for the work that’s yet to come.

While most field-checking trips that Cascadia Wildlands leads connect people with threatened places, this trip went a step further by connecting people with people. The experience of being on the North Spit with fracked gas resistors from all over Oregon demonstrated the strength, mutually supportive, and strong nature of our community. Despite the fact that this fossil fuel project is daunting and the forces behind it powerful, standing together on the shores of Coos Bay, we realized that our power is greater. We plan to win this fight against destructive fossil fuels with arms linked and standing together. Will you join us?

GET INVOLVED

Check out our WildCAT volunteer team here for more information on how to get involved with Cascadia’s grassroots resistance to this project.

Currently, public comment periods for the Army Corp of Engineers and Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality water quality permits are open! Contribute your voice to the chorus in opposition to this project. 

To tell the Army Corps of Engineers to reject the Jordan Cove Project, click here.

To send a comment to the Department of Environmental Quality, click here.

Click for more information on:

The Pipeline
The Terminal
Global Warming Issues
Environmental Issues
Economic Issues

The post A Report Back on Field Checking the Proposed Jordan Cove LNG Terminal first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

The third resurrection of the zombie pipeline is upon us. Like the premise for an 80s horror film, the Jordan Cove Energy Project proposal slated for southwest Oregon makes little sense, yet it just won’t seem to be forgotten.  

First proposed in 2004, the 232-mile Pacific Connector LNG pipeline and accompanying Jordan Cove liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal have been met with over a decade of grassroots resistance from concerned citizens, landowners faced with eminent domain, local tribes, politicians and environmentalists.

While the gas export project has been rejected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) twice since its initial proposal, the project proponent, Canada-based Veresen, has filed again for reconsideration. Many are worried about the possibility of it being approved this time around, with the pro-business Trump administration at the helm.

These increased concerns have motivated communities around the state into more concerted action. In this spirit of action, I joined the Cascadia Wildlands team on a trip to Salem to offer public comment at the Oregon State Land Board meeting. While LNG was not officially on the State Land Board’s agenda, the meeting provided the perfect opportunity to get in the room with Governor Kate Brown (who has the power to end this recurring nightmare once and for all) and get our message heard.

Waking up early after a long night of studying isn’t always the most appealing prospect, even to do something as important as fight an immoral and unsafe pipeline. After squeezing in an extra hour of sleep on the drive up to the Capitol, I straightened my rumpled clothing (I was wearing a button up for added effect) and started preparing to make my first-ever public comment.

I immediately felt out of place upon entering the halls of the Department of State Lands building, surrounded by legislators and bureaucrats dressed to the nines in suits and ties, and well equipped with patent leather briefcases. After some hesitation and a good bit of milling around, I signed my name on the list to comment, feeling a healthy dose of apprehension about speaking directly to Governor Brown.

The meeting began with the rap of a gavel and Brown’s acknowledgement of the retirement of a long-time civil servant, after which she suggested that public comment be made before the bulk of the meeting take place. At this point, I was frantically reading over the statement prepared by Cascadia Wildlands’ Grassroots Organizer and trying to draft one of my own before taking to the podium.

Conveniently, the proposed project offers no shortage of potential critiques, ranging from environmental hazards, safety considerations and environmental justice concerns.  At the forefront are the 400 waterways this pipeline would cross (and surely pollute), the 95-ft. wide clearcut that pipeline construction would require through public and private land, and the fact that, if built, the project would become the number one climate polluter in the state of Oregon. All of this isn’t to mention the concerns of many indigenous peoples in Southern Oregon, who claim that the pipeline will unearth burial grounds and damage important cultural sights.

There is also the potential for an explosive leak, which could ignite forest fires, damage homes and endanger lives. Disaster associated with a cataclysmic earthquake anticipated off of Oregon any day is also of major concern. The LNG facility would be built in the tsunami inundation zone on the spit in Coos Bay where the ocean meets land…

Thankfully I managed to give comment without incident, emphasizing the importance of Brown recognizing tribal concerns about the project while masking the nervous tremor in my voice.

After we finished giving our comments, the meeting resumed, only to be interrupted seconds later by a group of folks across the room. The din of noise makers and chanting drowned out Brown’s incredulous objections, and the protesters unfurled a banner that read “Climate Leaders Don’t Build Pipelines: Stop Jordan Cove.” The protestors read statements over Brown’s frustrated calls for silence, while the police liaison negotiated for time with the two cops that immediately moved to escort them out. Three of the protestors had the opportunity to speak before the group was lead out by the police, mentioning indigenous protest, safety concerns, and climate justice in their comments. The meeting proceeded with an awkward silence after the last of the protestors had left.

While Brown has continued to posture herself as a “climate leader,” she has remained unwilling to pull the plug on the Pacific Connector Pipeline and Jordan Cove Energy Project. We must keep the heat on her.

We can’t let Kate Brown forget that she is accountable to the will of her constituents. More actions like the recent one in Salem will be imperative in maintaining pressure on Brown, especially as the pipeline begins to rear its ugly head for a (hopefully) final showdown.

Kate Brown’s Contact Information:

Office of the Governor

900 Court Street, Suite 254

Salem, OR 97301-4047

Phone: 503-378-4582

The post Putting Fracked Gas Infrastructure on Kate Brown’s Agenda first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

FERC had already missed its decision deadline scheduled for December 29, so by March 2016 we were wondering, “Were they late because a group of the landowners under threat of eminent domain recently wrote to FERC?” On lawyer letterhead, they reminded FERC that if there were no buyers for the gas Veresen wanted to export, there was no “public need” required for eminent domain to take their farm and forestlands.

The post Blog: Jordan Cove LNG knocked to its knees first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

By Maya Rommwatt, Communications and Development Intern

On February 13th, comments are due to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the Jordan Cove LNG project.  The potentially catastrophic project includes both a pipeline and a terminal for the purpose of transporting fracked natural gas and liquefying it for export to Asia.  Similar to other proposals to transport gas and coal for the purposes of export, this project refuses to consider the impacts it will have on climate change, which now stands between us, and a livable future.

We’re living in an age of returns and firsts.  Just recently, photos confirmed the presence of an extremely rare Sierra Nevada red fox in Yosemite National Park.  There have been no sightings of the elusive creature there for ninety-nine years.  And closer to home, we learned of activity of what appears to be another one or two wolves near Crater Lake, in addition to the burgeoning Rogue Pack. I never thought I would be able to speak of Western Oregon wolves, and yet here they are, pups and all. 

But as this encouraging story unfolds, we make plans for pipelines and exports that will guarantee a future governed by catastrophic climate change.  That future has no room for recovering species.  This, as the EPA announces Canadian tar sands will only be developed if the Keystone pipeline is built, now that oil prices have dropped.  While the Keystone pipeline may soon be a receding threat, the more local Jordan Cove project is a wholly different beast.  The project would assure the export of inefficient fracked natural gas for decades to come, and once the Boardman coal plant shuts down, it will be Oregon’s biggest polluter.  This doesn’t even factor in the emissions associated with obtaining the natural gas, nor does it consider the burning of the gas by its consumers in Asia.  And yet, Oregon moves closer and closer to the LNG terminal.  We have not even begun to ask what a future with the project might look like.  If an accident were to happen with this project, say a spill, we taxpayers would likely be forced to help foot the cleanup bill, as the history of corporate settlements shows (corporations forced to pay punitive damages often deduct their settlement costs from their taxes).

The Jordon Cove LNG project is a disaster we can’t afford on a number of levels.  It’s foolish to think we can both recover species and build the natural gas pipeline.  Will we choose the path to recovery and growth, returns and firsts?  Or will we choose the path of negligence and loss?  Help us show the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission we stand on the right side of history, that we respect other species, and are not working in opposition to them.  We have not spent countless hours and resources building a narrative with a future, only to wash it away so a Canadian corporation can make a profit at our expense and the expense of OR-7 and the Rogue pack, the wolverine, and the remaining ancient carbon-storing forests of the Pacific Northwest. 

Now is the time to submit our comments; we have until noon on Friday the 13^th for online comments or postmarked mailed comments.  If you haven’t already done so, you can submit your comments beginning here.

More information on the pipeline can be found here.

Photo Credits: Top left, Two pups from the Rogue Pack, June 2014. (Photo by ODFW).  Bottom right, No LNG protest. (Photo courtesy Francis Eatherington).                              

The post Living in the Age of Returns and Firsts first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.