noLNG

Wu on LNG

Wu on LNG: Money talks until it walks

By CASSANDRA PROFITA
The Daily Astorian

U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., said he's expecting to see new energy policies and a different approach from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission now that the Obama administration is in charge.

But he doesn't expect either of the two proposed liquefied natural gas projects on the Columbia River to go away - until the developers run out of money or a project is built somewhere else to satisfy the regional energy market.

More: http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=395&ArticleID=61349

LNG pipeline route to be addressed at June 9 meeting

By CASSANDRA PROFITA
The Daily Astorian

The Clatsop County Planning Commission has scheduled a hearing June 9 on a controversial zone change along the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project pipeline route.

Astoria consultant Mark Barnes submitted the zone change application on behalf of property owner J & S Reserve LLC, which owns a 121-acre parcel of land near Westport..

More: http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=395&ArticleID=61281

Letter: Tail wagging the dog

After reading and rereading the redundant letter the U.S. Coast Guard recently sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in regard to the Bradwood tanker ballast/screening issue, I have come to the conclusion that the tail is wagging the dog ("Coast Guard alerts FERC to LNG tanker ballast problems," The Daily Astorian, May 18).

None of the criteria mentioned in this FERC letter would need to be addressed if this terminal was not intended for one specific location on the Columbia River: a location that for centuries has been a vital nursery for native smolt and Columbia River smelt - nature's abundance that has sustained generations of ancestral and modern Northwesterners, and has continuously supported commercial, sport and individual family ventures - an abundance of food that is a Northwestern icon.
More: http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=61144

According to a Congressional Report up to $1.5 Billion annual have been spend annually on habitat restoration, mitigation and the survival of the endangered salmon and steelhead species. (Blogger)

Coast Guard alerts FERC to LNG tanker ballast problems

Juvenile fish could be sucked up into ship; new ideas cause concern

By CASSANDRA PROFITA
The Daily Astorian

The U.S. Coast Guard has stepped into the fray on Bradwood Landing's already complicated problem of how to prevent juvenile fish from being sucked up into liquefied natural gas delivery tankers along with the ballast water.

More: http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=395&ArticleID=61039

Ballast water is only a small amount, compared to the amount of cooling water intake and discharge, especially from steampowered ships. Most LNG carriers are powered by steam turbine, only the newest and larger ships are being powered by multiple fueled diesel power. An average 148.000m3 steam powered LNG carrier will during a 24 hour delivery visit have a combined intake of ballast and cooling water of 74 million gallons, the ballast portion of this will be only 14 million gallons.(Blogger)

The USCG does not differentiate between river traffic of other ships and the building of a terminal in a salmon estuary, I for one see a significant difference as do many scientists and NOAA.

 

Wittless in Astoria. LTE

According to the many letters from citizens on both sides of the issue of the proposed LNG import terminals and associated pipelines, their representative Witt really blew it.

Letters:  http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=60818&TM=54683.38

http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=60819&TM=55490.07

http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=60833&TM=55490.07

http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=60832&TM=55490.07

LTE, The Daily Astorian

Letter: Witt's tantrum
State Rep. Brad Witt tried, but wound up sounding pretty unconvincing in his guest column, "The story behind the brouhaha over LNG" (The Daily Astorian, April 23). Although he would never admit it, his political diatribe sounded a little like a tantrum. He certainly huffed and puffed enough, but unfortunately much of what came out was hot air.

"Brouhaha" - really? He seems a little too thin-skinned to be in the business of politics. He doesn't seem to be able to take the heat, and he seems to have turned a deaf ear to the people he has pledged to represent.

More: http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=60768&TM=63224.43

Letter: Look at LNG studies

Congressionally-crafted regulations have again resulted in theU.S. Coast Guard making decisions recommended against by the liquefied natural gas industry's own best safety practices ("Coast Guard approves LNG," The Daily Astorian, April 28).
More than 95 percent of the world LNG industry is represented by the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators. SIGTTO is a nonprofit organization that researches and promulgates best practices for the industry.

More:  http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=60687&TM=80868.58

Abbreviated summary of SIGTTO LNG Siting standards:
http://www.lngtss.org/

Download SIGTTO Standards

El Paso Official Skeptical of West Coast LNG

http://www.lnglawblog.com/BlogEntry.aspx?_entry=992ee03a-53dd-49a3-a05b-5315b66994f9

Posted: May 6, 2009

Jim Cleary, president of El Paso's Western Pipeline division, told Platts LNG Daily that he does not believe that the LNG import projects planned for Oregon will go forward "in the foreseeable future." Cleary made the remarks while discussing western U.S. natural gas production and his company's efforts to build a new pipeline from a production area in the Rockies to a point on the California-Oregon border. [Subscription required]

Letters to the Editor.

The Daily Astorian has many LTE and whipping Rep. Witt for the lack of representation. He appears to be in the corporate pockets with the money, instead of representing his constituencies.

Click here to access(scroll) all the LTE: http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&TM=47921.67

Letter: Where's the protection?

An open letter to the captain of the Port of Sector Portland, U.S. Coast Guard: Friday, May 01, 2009 Full Story >>>

Letter: Consider what's in store

If Oregon (the people of Oregon) wants liquefied natural gas, let's consider what is in store for us all. LNG is a fossil fuel, just as oil and its derivative, gas, are. Friday, May 01, 2009 Full Story >>>

Letter: Oregonians deserve better

I participated in my first committee hearing before the state Legislature April 16. This was on HB 2015, the "LNG Public Protection Act" which would require the state to prove the need for liquefied natural gas before committing state resources, in the form of clean air and clean water permits. Friday, May 01, 2009 Full Story >>>

Letter: How does bill protect?

I will be interested in hearing Witt's response to this reasonable request for clarification on his position as a state representative of the people. Friday, May 01, 2009 Full Story >>>

Letter: Landowners left out

I am certainly glad to know that my state representatives think more of the rights of their constituents than Brad Witt thinks of his ("The story behind the brouhaha over LNG," The Daily Astorian, April 23). Friday, May 01, 2009 Full Story >>>

Letter: Don't pretend to represent

The article written by Brad Witt explaining why he sponsored House Bill 3058 clearly shows that he is firmly in favor of developers and not landowners ("The story behind the brouhaha over LNG," The Daily Astorian, April 23). Friday, May 01, 2009 Full Story >>>

Letter: Rep. Witt crosses the line

It makes me mad to see our state Rep. Brad Witt in Salem at the taxpayers' expense representing the interests of the liquefied natural gas speculators, while ignoring the will of 67 percent of Clatsop County voters, who just months ago overwhelmingly voted against LNG.

LNG work would sever agricultural roots of state

May 1, 2009

Lolita Carl, a fifth-generation farmer in Marion County, was amused to learn that Rep. Tobias Read, D-Beaverton, was upset when his home was picketed by opponents of a bill to aid the development of liquefied natural gas pipeline and terminals in Oregon.

More:  http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20090501/COLUMN0101/905010321/1001/NEWS/LNG+work+would+sever+agricultural+roots+of+state