noLNG

LNG foes appeal pipeline ruling

By KATIE WILSON
The Daily Astorian

The decision to approve a liquefied natural gas pipeline project in Clatsop County is only a day old, but one group is already planning to enter the appeals process.

Columbia Riverkeeper begin_of_the_skype_highlighting  end_of_the_skype_highlighting, one of the more persistent opponents of liquefied natural gas projects in the county, will be appealing the county's Hearings Officer Peter Livingston's decision to conditionally approve Oregon Pipeline, LLC's land use application, the group announced Monday afternoon.

"We will fight this project at every step," said Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper begin_of_the_skype_highlighting  end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Riverkeeper maintains that the project conflicts with the county's land-use law.

"At a time when LNG import terminals are actively switching to export and when state leaders have repeatedly said there is no need for LNG, there is simply no way to justify the massive disruption and damage that this pipeline would cause in Clatsop County," VandenHeuvel said.
More: http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=395&ArticleID=72802

For Immediate Release. August 23, 2010.

LNG Opponents Prepare to Challenge Oregon LNG Land Use Decision

Astoria, OR – A Hearings Officer approved a land use application for Oregon LNG despite extensive evidence that the liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline harms forests, farms, and salmon.  A coalition of citizen groups is preparing to challenge the Hearing Officer’s recommendation.  The Clatsop County Planning Department and independent experts hired by the County both recommended denial of the Oregon LNG pipeline because it does not comply with local land use law.  Contrary to these recommendations, the Hearings Officer approved the pipeline. 

The County land use approval is one of dozens of necessary permits for the Oregon LNG project to proceed.

Cheryl Johonson, a retired school librarian and Clatsop County resident stated, “We are disappointed in the conclusion of the Hearings Officer.  We agree with County staff and the vast majority of public testimony that the Oregon LNG pipeline is unnecessary and destructive to our river and our communities.  There is no question that the people of Clatsop County oppose LNG, and we hope the County Commission steps in and denies this pipeline.”

Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, anticipated that the decision would face additional scrutiny.  “This decision contradicts public testimony from fishermen, affected landowners and even Clatsop County’s own staff.  We think that this project fundamentally conflicts with the County’s land use law.”

Added VandenHeuvel, “At a time when LNG import terminals are actively switching to export and when state leaders have repeatedly said there is no need for LNG, there is simply no way to justify the massive disruption and damage that this pipeline would cause in Clatsop County.  We will fight this project at every step.”

Oregon LNG’s pipeline drew heavy criticism during public hearings because of the damage it would cause to local farms, forests, and rivers.  Public agencies such as the Elsie-Vinemaple Fire District, ODOT and Oregon Dept. of Forestry raised concerns about the project and its impact on local roads, fire risks, and emergency services.

Today’s decision can be appealed to the Clatsop County Commission.  The County Commission’s decision can then be appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).

“This is starting to look like Bradwood all over again,” stated VandenHeuvel.  Clatsop County previously approved similar land use applications for Bradwood Landing LNG, but these approvals were twice overturned by LUBA.

Hearings officer OKs gas pipeline

County leaders, planners gear up for appeal process

By KATIE WILSON
The Daily Astorian

A liquefied natural gas pipeline has been approved - with conditions - to run through Clatsop County.

Hearings Officer Peter Livingston's decision was announced this morning, accompanied by a 104-page document detailing his decision.

County leaders and planners are already gearing up for the appeal process they are certain will follow.

LNG projects have been fiercely debated in the county over the years, with large, vocal bases in support and in opposition.

"In the past, the expectation has been that these decisions are appealed," said County Manager Duane Cole. "Right now, I think everyone just got the document and they're still reading it and figuring out what to think."

More: http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=395&ArticleID=72762

Notice of Decision and Rights of Appeal. (see download)

http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/default.asp?deptid=12&pageid=669

 

LNG application decision delayed

By KATIE WILSON
The Daily Astorian

Hearings Officer Peter Livingston was expected to announce his decision to approve or deny a liquefied natural gas pipeline project's land use application today.

Instead, he has asked for more time to finalize the decision documents, say Clatsop County planners.

The county will release his decision for the Oregon Pipeline, LLC consolidated land use application on Monday, August 23.

Oregon Pipeline, LLC is part of the Oregon LNG project and seeks to run 41 miles of a 121-mile natural gas pipeline through Clatsop County.

County planners recommended denial of the application at a public hearing in June, but the ultimate decision rests in Livingston's hands.

http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=72755

LNG company’s plan to buy its own gas stinks

The Oregon LNG/Pipeline company proposes to sell gas to itself — liquefied natural gas that is shipped from afar, unloaded in Warrenton at the inlet to the Columbia River, and piped through Coast Range mountains and Willamette Valley to Molalla.

Why? Because the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will give Oregon LNG/Pipeline the right to seize private properties by eminent domain if the company can demonstrate a committed buyer for the gas. In fact, 'committed buyer' is the only criterion that FERC uses to conclude a public need for constructing a pipeline.

Let’s be clear: a company proposes to sell LNG to itself to prove that there is a buyer for the gas so that FERC can rule that a public need and necessity exists to seize private property against the intense objections of hundreds of land owners.

Who suffers? Construction of the giant pipeline will destroy thousands of acres of productive farms and prime forests and wreak havoc on streams, rivers, fish, birds and wildlife!

Oregon LNG/Pipeline is gambling that the future will bring real purchasers for their gas, but if FERC buys that ploy, the losers will be all who live in Oregon long after the gamblers have departed.

Allen Neuringer

Wu fights for Oregon's rights in LNG siting

By SUE CODY
The Daily Astorian

Summer appeared in more ways than one Friday as the sun finally kissed the clouds and fog good-bye and Rep. David Wu, standing on the shores of the Columbia River at the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria, announced that he will introduce a bill to the U.S. House of Representatives that will return the siting of liquefied natural gas facilities to state authorities.

 
Photo courtesy LaREE JOHNSON
U.S. Rep. David Wu, second from left, announces he will introduce legislation to the U.S. House of Representatives to return the siting authority of liquefied natural gas facilities to the states Friday at the Cannery Pier Hotel. The siting is now in the hands of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. From left are Clatsop County Commisioner-elect Peter Huhtala, Wu, Columbia Pacific Common Sense Chairwoman Laurie Caplan  and Cannery Pier Hotel General Manager Don West.

http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=398&ArticleID=72604

 

	NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN DAVID WU
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, August 13, 2010 Contact: Julia Louise Krahe 202-420-8814

 

 

WU ANNOUNCES LOCAL CONTROL FOR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ACT

 

Astoria, Ore. — Today Congressman David Wu joined local leaders to announce that he will soon introduce the Local Control for Energy and Environment Act, which will give state governments—not federal agencies—final say in the siting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.   

 

“I’ve heard time and time again from small business owners, farmers, fishermen, and parents that they are confused and frustrated by the multiple LNG projects and timelines, and more importantly, that they do not feel like their voices are being heard,” said Congressman David Wu. “The time has come to put the people of Oregon back in the driver's seat when it comes to deciding whether or not LNG is welcome here.”  

 

State governments used to have final authority on decisions regarding LNG facilities, but in 2005, the Bush administration and Republican Congress crafted an energy bill that made the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the final decision-making body on the construction, expansion, or operation of any facility that exports, imports, or processes LNG. 

 

To return this power to state governments so that Oregon communities can once again determine their own energy future, Congressman Wu's Local Control for Energy and Environment Act will nullify Section 311 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. 

 

By reestablishing Oregon’s role in the LNG siting process, Congressman Wu believes that future energy decisions will better reflect the goals and values of the local community. Concerns about the FERC process were underscored by local community leader Laurie Caplan.  

 

“The FERC approval process for LNG is broken,” said Laurie Caplan, chair of Columbia Pacific Common Sense.  “Time and again FERC has shown itself unwilling to regulate LNG and unwilling to advocate for the public." 

 

Local elected officials spoke about the importance the community places on environmental protection and how nullifying Section 311 would help address such concerns. 

 

“The adoption of this legislation will provide Oregon with a valuable tool to protect our fisheries, forests, and farms from the intrusion of foreign fossil fuel infrastructure,” said Clatsop County Commissioner-elect Peter Huhtala.  

 

Local business leaders also joined Wu to support the legislation, which has a companion bill in the Senate, S. 3056, which was introduced by Ron Wyden. 

 

“Congressman Wu, along with Ron Wyden in the Senate, have taken steps to ensure that the states have the right of self determination when it comes to the siting of energy facilities.  I applaud their efforts, but the job is far from complete,“ said Don West, general manager of the Cannery Pier Hotel. 

 

Congressman David Wu will introduce this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.  It is a companion measure to S. 3056 introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (OR).  Full text of the bill will be available from the Library of Congress at Thomas.govshortly afterward.

 

Did Bradwood forget to pay the bills?

Yet another Bradwood legacy?

A local tipster told the Ear to go look at the door of Bradwood Landing's old office. Curiosity piqued, the Ear trundled down to the corner of Ninth and Commercial streets, and sure enough, there was a yellow disconnect order from Pacific Power stuck in the doorway. In the handwritten part of the notice, it says, "Please pay $1005.31 to avoid disconnect."
 
The Ear is guessing whoever posted the note there didn't notice that the office is empty, and didn't know the company is in bankruptcy. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on the part of the utility company.

Note to Pacific Power: Get in line.

 http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=1054&ArticleID=72401&TM=278.758

Conflict inevitable

Andy Jordan? Port of Astoria legal counsel ("Port looks to build new Red Lion Inn," The Daily Astorian, July 21)? And this would be the same Andy Jordan we saw up on the Liberty Theater stage advising and doing the "legal guiding" of the then-sitting Richard Lee County Commission's initial hearings and deliberations of the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas receiving terminal - and has been in on it since?

And now, here he and his firm are, the new, official, legal counsel for the Port of Astoria, with Oregon LNG/pipeline hearings and deliberations on the horizon with Clatsop County and the city of Warrenton. We all know, contrary to how stupid the folks at Port of Astoria assume we are, that the agency will not be immune from those discussions. Jordan advising them offers some reason for concern, in my view.

Wonder if Jordan's firm came up with the "hearings officer" concept for the county and Warrenton to relieve the sitting members of both commissions of the accountability of making spontaneous and knowledgeable decisions on what they were elected to do in the first place?

Then, who oversees the validity of the hearings officer's decisions - without the inevitable appeals and battles?

PATRICK McGEE
Astoria

http://www.dailyastorian.info/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=393&ArticleID=72433

Oregon Pipeline Company, LLC

Oregon Pipeline Company, LLC (“Oregon Pipeline”) conducted a non-binding Open

Season that commenced on June 1, 2010, and concluded on June 30, 2010, for the proposed

Oregon Pipeline project. Oregon Pipeline hereby reports that its affiliate, LNG Development

Company, LLC (d/b/a/ Oregon LNG), submitted the only bid through the Open Season process

for 1,450,000 Dth/day of firm transportation service. Oregon LNG’s bid was accepted by

Oregon Pipeline and all capacity on the pipeline was awarded to Oregon LNG.

Download Open season Oregon pipeline