noLNG

Quote of the Year!

"My feeling is, if you've got strong local opposition, they may not be able to kill you with one blow, but a thousand cuts can do it. Whether it's justified or not, you just can't overcome strong intrinsic local opposition. They're going to be creative in finding ways to stop things," said Allen.

From the article titled "Challenges hit U.S. LNG market transformation" by Karen Boman (EnergyCurrent)

Feds launch query into ethics conflict

a small christmas gift from FERC via The Daily Astorian

Federal officials are worried about a potential conflict of interest for an environmental consulting group that's working on both the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project and the Palomar Gas Transmission pipeline.

The two projects are linked by a segment of the Palomar line that's slated to serve the Bradwood LNG terminal, proposed for a site 20 miles east of Astoria.

According to a letter from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Natural Resource Group, a company with several offices across the country focused on energy project permitting, has even assigned some of the same staff to work on both projects.

In a letter sent to NRG Thursday, FERC official Richard Hoffmann noted the relationship between the two projects as an ethical hurdle requiring "additional measures ... to assure the public that the work is being carried out in an impartial manner."

"NRG's work on the Palomar pipeline could appear to provide it with a financial interest in seeing that the Bradwood Landing LNG Project gets approved," he wrote.

complete story: Feds launch query into ethics conflict

While you are there, read the letters to the editor page, too. It will make you smile.
 

Latest county staff report reaffirms opposition to LNG plant

Great news out of Clatsop County this evening. The Planning Commission staff report has reaffirmed their opposition to the proposed county-wide zoning changes that Northern Star was requesting in order to build at Bradwood.

It remains important that as many as possible attend the hearing on Wednesday, August 29th, 10:00 am, to let the Planning Commission know that they should follow the recommendation of their staff and the wishes of the majority of their community.

Is your sign in your yard?
Is your decal on your car?
Is your button on your chest?

County says Bradwood Landing executives failed to meet criteria for land-use approval

An updated report from county planners continues to advise the Clatsop County Planning Commission to deny Bradwood Landing LLC's application for zone changes and other land-use permits for an LNG terminal on the Columbia River east of Astoria.

Bradwood Landing made several advances in addressing deficiencies raised in an earlier staff report to the Planning Commissioner. However, after analyzing all the evidence presented during the commission's public hearing process, Bradwood Landing ultimately did not adequately address all of the deficiencies and ultimately does not satisfy the criteria to grant a zone change to build a liquefied natural gas marine terminal and related facilities at the former mill site, leading staff to reiterate its recommendation for denial.

full article  Latest county staff report reaffirms opposition to LNG plant

Supplemental Staff Report to Clatsop County Planning Commission, Aug. 23, 2007 (pdf)

Clatsop County Planning Commission: Bradwood Landing information 

As an added bonus to our day, the photo at the top of this post is KMUN Coast Radio's photo of the day tomorrow. You can show your appreciation for their helping save our river by dripping them a note. Or seeing as how it's pledge week, you can always give them your quarters, and if you do, make sure you mention you saw our "save our river' banner on their site so they know we know we are out here.

Photos from our very own "Bradwood Landing"

Even very small people know that we need to protect the river!

This little one is just one of the largest crowd of folks I've seen come out  locally against LNG. Last Monday, the NO LNG Armada of about 75 people left Puget Island, braved the mighty and landed at Bradwood. Friends of the River members ferried dozens of WFoR members, along with many of our new friends from the convergence and the press over to the Oregon side of the river where they were joined by kayakers and a dozen folks who came over in an Inuit fishing boat. A similar number stayed onshore on the Washington side and cheered them on.

The weather was glorious and according to Kristin and Mike, who took us around the river so we could take pictures, even the water in the river was 70 degrees. (See, there is an upside to global warming!) Frans and Mika Eykel were generous enough to open their lovely home to the invading hordes for the event which was, as someone said in email, joyous. Seriously, there were smiling faces everywhere. If you want to see them, click here.

Additional pictures from the climate convergence can be found here: West Coast Convergence for Climate Action and here.

If you have photos of the convergence you would like to post but you do not have a flickr account, one has been created for this purpose. Drop me a note if you would like the account logon information.

As seen on Puget Island, WA.

Even dummies make the RIGHT choice

Congressman Baird Opposes LNG Terminal Project

This makes us VERY happy! Thank you Congressman Baird!

March 5, 2007
Congressman Baird Opposes LNG Terminal Project

Washington, D.C. - After careful and thoughtful review of the Waterway Suitability Report (WSR) for the Bradwood Landing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal project, released last week, Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03) has come out in opposition to the plan.  Below is his statement:

"After reviewing the WSR, I believe there is enough compelling evidence to oppose the proposed LNG project.  While there may be local benefits to the project, including job creation and additional gas production, the overall negative impacts on the entire river system are too great for me to support.   There are three main areas of great concern to me:  the safety and security measures that would need to be implemented to make the Columbia River suitable for LNG and the associated negative impacts on existing river commerce; the impact on the environment; and, the effect the project would have on private property owners.

"In order for the Columbia River to suitably accommodate this project, a number of measures will need to be implemented to manage navigation, safety, and security risks.   Among these are:  increased navigational aids, security boardings, and changes to emergency communications systems.  The report does not outline what the impact of these new security measures will be on the Coast Guard or local law enforcement agencies, but, the burden for paying will fall on the likely fall on the local taxpayers.

"While we are still awaiting the results of the Environmental Impact Study, I have a number of concerns about the project's impact on the environment.  Even if all of the safety and security measures are taken, the impact on the environment and economy remains unknown.  Both commercial and recreational fishing industries could be adversely affected, the long-term impact of dredging and tunneling on endangered and threatened fish species, including salmon, is unknown, and there could be significant ramifications if a leak or spill occurred. 

"Finally, I am concerned about the project's impact on private property owners.  I have repeatedly met with the people whose property would be affected by the terminal or pipeline construction and I respect their position.  For those living on Puget Island, or who may have a gas line running through their property, ensuring a safety and security must be the highest priority. 

"The WSR did identify current security concerns and resource gaps, but the costs economically, to the environment, to those living in the community, and to the river itself are just too much to justify moving forward on this one project.  After thoughtful consideration of all these issues, I oppose the proposed Bradwood Landing LNG site."

Congressman Baird recognizes the final decision remains up to state agencies and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, however, at this time he feels it is important to state his position publicly to best serve his constituents on this matter. Copies of the Congressman's position statement are being sent to FERC, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other interested parties and officials.

Nice article on Ted Messing, one of our members

While fighting the proposed LNG sites along our river takes a lot of time, some of our members have lives beyond fighting the threatened blight of LNG. Amazing but true! grin

Ted Messing, along with his wife Cheryl Johnson, are active members of several groups committed to saving the river from heavy industrial development. The Daily Astorian has an article about Ted that focuses on these activities along with Ted's hand-carved manzanita burl vases. Take a look at the article, and if you happen to see Ted's work somewhere, check it out. He creates some beautiful objects of desire.

Artist carves his niche, loves the land and commits to protect it.

LNG Theater courtesy of CoastWatch

While perusing the 'net, I stumbled upon this little slice of "LNG theater"

Agent Bob: In the next phase we'll begin to pressure those who haven't sold out yet and push the feds for more control. We will make a special effort to ignore local concerns unofficially, but of course our public relations people will be trained to sound concerned. Our consultant says we should use the word "partner" a lot in our public discussions.

CEO: Very good! Now we know we won't get much grief from the port, or the cities. They can't wait for us to come in and take away attention from them for a while. We'll bypass the little county in Oregon completely with something about National Security...We'll just make that part up as we go along. But what about that little town in Washington that's in the blast zone? what was it?

Agent Bob: Cath, or Cathy something? Yes, well that's a fairly easy matter since legally they have no standing in this matter, but we don't want to tip our hand too soon so I would suggest a simple cash buy-out just in case their Congressman wakes up about this at some point.

CEO: How much?

Agent Bob: Oh, half million should do it over a few years as long as we give it to a well established and beloved local charity with a strong local board of people who will keep others in line.

CEO: Ah heck, make it a million! As long as we can write it all off? Let's proceed.

The rest of the post is here and it's bound to make you smile--before you shake your head in angry/sad agreement.