FERC removes Bradwood LNG project from Thursday agenda By Tony Lystra The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced Tuesday that it won’t consider NorthernStar Natural Gas Inc.’s proposal to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on the Columbia River this week. The commission had been expected to discuss plans for the $600 million terminal Thursday, and there was speculation the agency would decide on a permit for the project. But a FERC spokeswoman said Tuesday the commission will hold off while it reviews letters and comments citizens, government agencies and lawmakers have filed in the past month. “They’re just taking time to review everything before they make a decision,” FERC spokeswoman Tamara Young-Allen said. Late last week, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski sent a letter to FERC saying the agency’s final environmental impact statement for the NorthernStar project, issued last month, is “fatally flawed and legally deficient.” Kulongoski asked the agency to withdraw the study and issue a more thorough one. The governor also said the document brushed over important questions about environmental and safety risks. FERC should not issue its permit, he said, until the state decides whether to certify the project under Coastal Zone, clean air and clean water standards. Kulongoski spokeswoman Jillian Schoene said the governor hopes Tuesday’s decision “is an indication that FERC is finally listening to Oregon’s concerns and is re-evaluating our request for a revised impact statement before moving forward.” U.S. Reps. David Wu, Peter DeFazio, Darlene Hooley, all Oregon Democrats, as well as Southwest Washington Congressman Brian Baird, also asked FERC to delay its decision. Young-Allen said she didn’t know if the governor’s or the lawmakers’ demands had prompted FERC to hold off. NorthernStar spokesman Joe Desmond said his company doesn’t “know the specific reasons for the delay.” But, he said, “It’s important that staff take the necessary time to prepare the final order.” He also said that, even if FERC does issue a license for the terminal, NorthernStar will have to secure the state permits before it can break ground. “I certainly hope that FERC will want to respond to the governor’s concerns and provide him the assurance that the state has a significant role to play in this,” Desmond said. It is unclear when FERC will take up the issue again. Young-Allen said FERC could make its decision at any time, outside the confines of a scheduled meeting. NorthernStar’s proposed terminal, at Bradwood, Ore., would bring LNG tankers 38 miles up the river, store the gas in two large tanks along the shore, and pump the gas to market through at least one, possibly two, new pipelines. One of the new pipelines would cross Clatsop, Columbia and Cowlitz counties. Recent related articles: Kulongoski asks feds to halt decision on LNG  (July 14) LNG decision near? FERC to meet next week  (July 11) Baird asks feds to delay Bradwood decision  (June 21) Clatsop County LNG referendum makes ballot  (June 21)