noLNG

Appeals Court Filings Express Concerns About Proposed Natural Gas Terminal's Effects On Salmon

Posted on Friday, January 29, 2010 (PST)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was overly hasty and acted without proper environmental impacts analysis in licensing the proposed construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas ship terminal and plant in the Columbia River estuary, according to legal briefs filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

Full story:  http://www.cbbulletin.com/374818.aspx

Palomar's transparency

The editorial of Jan. 19 ("Rohne got it right," The Daily Astorian) properly points out the need for transparency where the public's business is concerned. When we first announced our intention to develop an interstate natural gas pipeline to serve the Willamette Valley, we at Palomar Gas Transmission pledged that our dealings with all stakeholders, including county commissioners, would be open and honest; in other words, transparent. That's why we were pleased when a reporter from The Daily Astorian accepted the invitation to join us in our meetings with four of Clatsop County's five commissioners, something the editor failed to mention in his editorial.
Complete letter: http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=67477&TM=60222.57

Pipeline secrets must end

Landowners in several Oregon counties are already dealing with the misleading statements and behaviors of the Palomar Pipeline surveyors and promoters, and the very real threat of eminent domain to take their property for the company's profits. Now, we in Clatsop County are getting the Palomar treatment.

Palomar's Henry Morse made an outrageous and blatantly false claim in The Daily Astorian's coverage of Palomar's closed meetings with county commissioners ("Rohne boycotts pipeline briefings," Jan. 14). Morse stated, "The pipeline is in no way dependent on Bradwood. We'll continue to build the east pipe." I cannot believe that Morse has the gall to make this claim publicly and to contradict his own company's stated intention.

Complete letter: http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=67476&TM=60222.57

Nature's fish enclave

How long is it going to take for our federal and state agencies to step forward, throw all the facts on the table, and put their foot down and say no to NorthernStar liquefied natural gas coming into the Columbia River and building an offloading facility?

These same agencies that are so quick to curtail harvest on the Columbia to both commercial and sports fisherman are dragging their feet on putting a stop to NorthernStar LNG. The damage this project would do to the wetlands and the habitat is not replaceable elsewhere. This area has been set aside by nature for little fish coming down stream to mingle and take in nutrients before their last push to the ocean.

The National Marine Fisheries Service conducts an annual study program in May and June in this area checking these smolts and getting valuable information for better fish management for future years. If LNG were allowed to come into this area, NMFS told me they would most likely lose this entire program.

No matter how you look at it, LNG is in no way good for the Columbia River.

NorthernStar LNG has spent a lot of money trying to force their way into the Columbia and trying to sway the opinions of the people of Clatsop County, but when people know something is not good, all the money in the world will not change their minds.

JACK MARINCOVICH
Astoria

http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=67313&TM=59274.87

Article comment by: Vonda Kay Brock

I find it very interesting in regard to the responsibility of our Federal and State Agencies that they must overlook the attitude of many pro LNG supporters. One in particular who chooses to use a pseudomyn on a pro lng "newsweb" site has stated.."Mitigation Items" translates to "Minor bureaucratic redtape" Which is always easily resolved when private industry and governmental do nothings get together. Remember this is Oregon where people in Salem would gladly sell their grandmothers body parts for the right" price." signed "Concerned Citizen." I have faith in these agencies in that they will do what is right for Oregon and the Columbia River. Oregonians don't like to be bullied. These agencies put in long hard hours in regard to their responsibilities. Evidence that in the last response to NorthernStar by NMFS in their 150 issues yet to be addressed by NSNG. Another State agency in Maryland stood up to this issue and won. So shall we.

Update; Public meeting Bradwood DEQ permit.

DEQ Water Quality and Air Quality program staff will share information about DEQ's authority, the status of the permit applications, and potential timelines for drafting permits, holding a formal public hearing and making permitting decisions.

 Comment period ends March 17, 2010, 5pm.

Information Meeting:

Date: March 3, 2010

Time: starts at 6 pm

Place: Knappa High School Gymnasium

Address: 41535 Old Highway 30, Astoria, Oregon  97103

 This public notice is a re-issue of the previous notice which includes now additional information.  To view the revised public notice, Click Here

LNG security pact up in the air

 Photo by Rick Nelson.
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 by Rick Nelson

Negotiations between Wahkiakum County and NorthernStar Natural Gas over a contract to provide security for shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are at a crucial point, officials said this week.
    NorthernStar has proposed to build an LNG receiving terminal at Bradwood, and as a condition of operation, the operator must provide security, including armed marine escort, for tankers bringing LNG to the terminal. The company and county officials have been negotiating a pact for close to two years.
    County officials have said their goal in negotiations is to make sure there is no cost to the county to provide the service, and they have been pressing NorthernStar negotiators to make sure all costs will be covered.

Complete story: http://www.waheagle.com/news/article.exm/2010-01-28_lng_security_pact_up_in_the_air

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

Northwest Region

7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Bldg. 1

Seattle, WA 98115

January 27, 2010

Re: Initiation of Endangered Species Act Section 7 Formal Consultation and Magnuson-

Stevens Act Essential Fish Habitat Consultation for the Bradwood Landing LNG Import

Terminal and Pipeline Project, Columbia River, Clatsop County, Oregon (FERC Docket

Nos. CP06-365-000, CP06-366-000, CP06-376-000, and CP06-377-000)

Dear Ms. Bose:

This letter acknowledges the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) January 6, 2010,

receipt of a letter dated December 29, 2009, from Lauren H. O’Donnell, Director of the Federal

Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Division of Gas – Engineering and Environment,

requesting initiation of formal consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act.

1 The consultation regards FERC’s proposed authorization of the Bradwood Landing Liquefied

Natural Gas (LNG) Import Terminal and Pipeline Project (Bradwood Landing LNG Project) on

27 species under NMFS’ jurisdiction that are listed or proposed for listing under the ESA and

their critical habitat, where designated or proposed, in the action area. This process will also

serve as consultation on essential fish habitat pursuant to section 305(b) of the Magnuson-

Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Download FERC - NMFS ltr to FERC re formal consult

 

 

New FERC leader ignites changes

Jon Wellinghoff addresses LNG supply issues, greenhouse gas emissions at conference

 
By CASSANDRA PROFITA
The Daily Astorian

A new day is dawning for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The five-member board, which oversees liquefied natural gas development nationwide, has a new chairman as of last year, a new commissioner as of last month, and one vacant seat yet to be filled.

Last year, President Barack Obama named Commissioner Jon Wellinghoff FERC chairman, signaling a significant shift in the board's outlook.

At a conference for "green" professionals Tuesday, Wellinghoff said he would like FERC to consider the greenhouse gas emissions of new energy projects and their impact on climate change before granting approval, but he is waiting for the three votes he needs to make that a new policy

http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=395&ArticleID=67401

Could NorthernStar be next?

LNG developer sued in Oklahoma for payment

POINT PLEASANT, Maine

A company that performed environmental services for an Oklahoma company that wanted to build a liquefied natural gas terminal in Maine is suing for more than $1 million.

In a lawsuit in Oklahoma, TRC Environmental Corp. says it provided services for Quoddy Bay LLC from April 2005 through January 2008. But it says Quoddy Bay stopped paying the firm about 10 months earlier. The lawsuit targets the corporation and its principles.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9DFENJ80.htm