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Governor calls on FERC to withdraw Bradwood Landing final report
(Salem) – Governor Ted Kulongoski asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to withdraw the final environmental impact statement on the Bradwood Landing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal project and not to make any further decisions until Oregon’s concerns are addressed and the state permitting process is complete.
“FERC’s report represents a failure to be accountable to the people of Oregon,” Governor Kulongoski said. “The disregard for Oregon’s concerns is unacceptable, particularly on a project with such profound potential impacts on the lives of Oregonians.”The Governor’s decision today follows FERC’s dismissal of his request in May for a supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS). The Governor made that request because the project proposal changed substantially since the draft EIS was issued in August 2007 and because significant new information concerning the project was submitted by the applicants.
Federal statute and case law require FERC to issue a supplemental EIS when there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns. The public must also be provided an opportunity to comment on the new information.
Furthermore, FERC is not requiring mitigation plans be fully developed before making a decision on a license. The Governor believes FERC should require that any mitigation plans be specific and be based on effective and proven methods.
“Oregon has the right under federal law to have our concerns addressed before any final federal determination is made, but FERC chose to disregard my request” the Governor said. “FERC should not issue any license until it issues a revised DEIS and makes that available for public comment.”
Specifically, the Governor contends FERC should not issue any license before the state completes the permitting process with regard to the Clean Water Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act.
Included with the Governor’s letter is a compilation of state agency comments on the project and a follow-up letter from the Oregon Department of Energy which reiterates that Canadian and domestic natural gas supplies are an adequate alternative and should be considered when determining how to meet Oregon’s future demands for natural gas.
To read the Governor’s letter to FERC and accompanying documents, click here.
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6 Comments
On Jul 15, 12:28 PM, rhetoric makes me cross-eyed wrote:
Oregonian’s excellent rejoinder.
Interesting how the governor refuses to comment on the fact that ODE’s report was contingent on 146 new nuclear plants being built and now ODE is pushing the thought (without any supporting evidence) that Canada will have more gas for us coming down the same pipeline that testimony to PUC has already verified is “overtaxed” which is why it okayed the Palomar. Amazing that the governor doesn’t want Oregon to become California’s pipeline but Washington, Idaho, Montana and a host of other states can become ours! Such hypocrisy, and the same old, “not in my backyard” rhetorical sound bites that politicians jump on board for.
On Jul 17, 10:16 PM, AnotherAstorian wrote:
I think the Gov is going to learn pretty soon just how many people support Bradwood - I think the pressure he’s put on FERC was based on his desire to appease the people that have written letters and called(the opposition, that is, because they’re obsessed), maybe just to shut them up or, to make himself look good - I really wish he’d just step up and say Bradwood is a good deal. Their pipeline will affect VERY few landowners, unlike the Oregon LNG pipeline!
From what I’ve seen and heard, many people don’t realize they are TWO DIFFERENT COMPANIES! And only one will be built! What would you prefer - A pipeline of less than forty miles, or one that’s 200 miles long? Most of the pressure Ted is getting is because of the pipeline that is going through the heart of Oregon’s farmland - and that’s NOT Bradwood!
I stopped by the Bradwood Landing office yesterday, and picked up a postcard which they’ve made up for supporters to send to our Governor so he knows that people support Bradwood Landing. From what I understand, they expect he’ll receive THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of these postcards! (From the silent MAJORITY, that is!) I think maybe then he’ll get the message.
(By the way, when I was there, they mentioned that if I knew anyone that was supportive to please send them in to fill out a card...so please do! I know there are ALOT of people out there that just haven’t been vocal at all, but your voice needs to be heard! The people that work at the office downtown are very nice, and always willing to take the time to answer questions)
The bottom line is, that for NOW, natural gas is the least polluting of available energy sources - so we need to embrace and use it while renewables like wind and solar are put into place over the next two or three decades.
I sincerely believe that solar and wind will be the wave of the future and will be the ONLY source 50 years from now, but they aren’t here TODAY, and won’t be for years. We need relief TODAY from oil.
That makes me recall something a friend was talking about this morning in our daily coffee meeting. He was saying that all of his friends are buying Prius’s and just waiting for the REAL electric cars to come out. My response to him was “How are they going to power those electric cars?” He said “Heck, they’ll just plug them in and they’ll charge!”. To which my response was, “Where do you think our electricity comes from?” His response? “I get my power from NW Natural!”....DUH! You would be right if you assume we had a further conversation about this...cause he’s always been one that’s been on the fence, and now he’s a believer.
On Jul 18, 7:00 AM, Patrick McGee wrote:
There’s Natural Gas supply and suppliers, “AA” and then there is LNG Speculators.
Don’t confuse one with the other and try to wrap LNG Terminals into it as a cure-all.
It is not.
On Jul 18, 1:28 PM, AnotherAstorian wrote:
I would hardly call a company who has already invested over 30 million dollars in project development “Speculators”. They are way past that.
On Jul 18, 4:25 PM, Jane wrote:
Ted you don’t speak for all the people of Oregon. Sometimes it’s best you keep your mouth shut and quit watching Al Gore tapes. Were rapidly proceeding down the path of destruction
with all these never thought out green ideas. Can anyone tell us where wind power is stored at?? Is it in a cave?? What happens when the wind doesn’t blow?? What backs up the wind grid?? Ethanol is ruining some engines as no research was done prior to passing bills to mandate a percentage mixture with gasoline concerning long term damages . Another fine fix you got us in Ollie. The list goes on and on. Lets stop this crap and get on with the LNG terminal.
On Jul 18, 10:15 PM, Patrick McGee wrote:
On Jul 18, 12:28 PM, AnotherAstorian wrote:
I would hardly call a company who has already invested over 30 million dollars in project development “Speculators”. They are way past that.
Of course “YOU” wouldn’t but they are simply what they are $30 Million or not. Push come to shove they could be gone tommorrow as if they were never here and hopefully you would be much wiser from the experience.
That $30 Million is just the price of taking the shot for a potential huge return at One Billion Cubic Feet a day of regasified Natural Gas.