I am NOT an LNG ‘acceptable risk.’

Opponents of the proposed LNG site at Bradwood wore their feelings on their bright red tshirts shirts last night at the Coast Guard/FERC meeting, and the message was clear:

I am NOT an LNG "acceptable risk"

According to the Daily Astorian, the Coast Guard says there were about 375 people attending the session at Knappa High School and it's easy to believe. The room was packed with a crowd that, unfortunately, started to trickle away as 11:00 and the final ferry run drew near. When questioned about the possibility of another meeting on the Washington side of the river so that all concerned citizens have a chance to comment, a representative of FERC said he would consider it saying, "I'm not saying yes and I'm not saying no."

Commentary from opponents was varied--a scientist drew a frighteningly plausible scenario for disaster in Astoria, fishers questioned the impact on their livelihood and safety, and residents of Puget Island cited numerous negative impacts of heavy industry on people, animals, a fragile ecosystem, and inevitably, the character of the river and their way of life. A common thread was that offshore siting should be considered, especially after it became clear that the LNG plant cited by Gary Coppedge of Northern Star as having survived a direct hit by one of the recent major Gulf hurricanes (Katrina and Rita) and a sideswipe by the other, was an offshore LNG facility.

As was noted by at least one person in a red tshirt, all but one of the speakers favoring the proposed siting were there representing a group that stood to profit from the project.

The Daily Astorian has a nice article titled "LNG foes give feds both barrels" with a number of good quotes from concerned citizens who spoke at the meeting. To quote:

Let us make no mistake and have no illusions,” said biologist and writer Robert Pyle of Grays River. “If this LNG facility goes ahead, the rural and natural setting of the lower Columbia will be changed radically and, for all practical purposes, forever.”

He added that although proponents tout the safety record of LNG, one word that is missing is “yet;” an accident worse than the pipeline explosion in Bellingham, Wash., could occur here. The facility and its construction would also have an effect on the nearby wetlands and the wildlife.

A sidebar points out that written comments are still being accepted by the Coast Guard and FERC. If you are interested in an additional meeting, you should also contact them--maybe if enough Washington residents request it, one will be scheduled. It would be nice if everyone got a chance to be heard on this huge decision.