noLNG

Group claims Millennium misrepresented scope of coal project

http://tdn.com/news/local/article_e892c86a-393b-11e0-ba50-001cc4c002e0.html

Riverkeeper leader a hero to friends, obstructionist to foes

HOOD RIVER, Ore. — From his second-story office in an old househere, Brett VandenHeuvel has a fine view of the object of hispassion. Last Wednesday, the Columbia River coursed by in the neardistance, wide, cold and gray, with white hills rising above itsbanks after a recent snowfall.

VandenHeuvel, the executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper,has made it his duty to fight any project he considers harmful tothe 1,400-mile waterway. More: http://tdn.com/news/local/article_98d8f458-000f-11e0-b3c1-001cc4c03286.html ...Comment by Brett van den Heuvel, I think the thing that the story completely missed, and that perhaps you could comment on in letter to editor, is that the LNG victory was a huge group effort of hundreds and hundreds of people and over a dozen organizations, etc.  The story reads like Riverkeeper simply waved a magic wand in order to “bleed” LNG.  Nothing is further from the truth, as you’ve seen for years.  Riverkeeper was but one piece of an amazing coalition – a coalition that started in Cowlitz County and Clatsop before Riverkeeper even got involved.

Wu Introduces Bill to Return State Control Over LNG Decisions

At a time when Congress is expected take little action in the run-up to the November elections, U.S. Rep. David Wu (D-Ore.) has introduced a new bill aimed at returning state control over where to place liquefied natural gas facilities.

Wu, who’s running for re-election in the First Congressional District against Republican Rob Cornilles, on Tuesday introduced the Local Control for Energy and the Environment Act. The bill would repeal portions of the 2005 Energy Policy Act that stripped away much of the decision-making power over LNG facilities from the states.

 

Wu’s bill would return much of the authority states lost over LNG decisions in the Bush-era Energy Policy Act. It would also require FERC to consult with states about any inter-agency agreements over safety and security at LNG facilities

http://blogs.wweek.com/news/2010/09/16/wu-introduces-bill-to-return-state-control-over-lng-decisions/

 

 

Press release by Columbia Riverkeeper

Oregon Agency Formally Denies Bradwood LNG Project

 

Astoria, OR – On Tuesday, the State of Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) formally denied the Bradwood LNG project, deeming it inconsistent with Oregon’s Coastal Zone Management Program.  The news adds finality to the end of the Bradwood LNG proposal after Bradwood’s parent company, NorthernStar Natural Gas, filed for bankruptcy in May.

 

Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, welcomed the news of Oregon’s denial of Bradwood LNG.  “This project has been lingering in bankruptcy, and today’s emphatic denial by the State of Oregon effectively renders Bradwood LNG worthless for any prospective buyers.  This is a very significant nail in Bradwood’s coffin.”

 

Added VandenHeuvel, “When combined with Washington’s denial of a Clean Water Act permit for this project, today’s decision by Oregon makes it abundantly clear that Bradwood LNG has no future.”

 

George Exum is a marine engineer and chair of Wahkiakum Friends of the River who lives across the Columbia River from the bankrupt LNG terminal proposal.  He stated, “We’ve known for a long time that this project isn’t viable.  Bradwood LNG’s high-profile failure is a strong signal that LNG will never move forward in the Pacific Northwest, including the proposed Oregon LNG and Jordan Cove LNG terminals in Oregon.”

 

Sandra Davis, a landowner along the proposed Bradwood LNG pipeline, expressed relief at the action taken by Oregon DLCD.  “After seeing the terrible disaster in San Bruno, we are relieved that this pipeline – which would have been just as large as PG&E’s, and non-odorized – has been formally rejected.  I certainly hope that Oregon LNG and the Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector projects are soon to follow.”

 

Approval by the State of Oregon was a mandatory condition of FERC’s approval of the project.  Oregon’s denial came after the DLCD repeatedly requested additional information or an extension from Bradwood LNG and received no response from the company.

Washington DOE letter of Denial

Download DOE Letter of Denial LNG

Save the Date................

SPIRIT OF THE RIVER

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

7:00 pm Silent Art Auction at the Masonic Lodge

8:00 pm Program at the Performing Arts Center, 16th & Franklin, Astoria

 

Special Guest

Award winning author: William Layman

 

River of Memory : The Everlasting Columbia , 2006

Native River : The Columbia Remembered, 2002 

Victorious LNG foes says thanks to county

By Barbara LaBoe / The Daily News | Posted: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 10:15 pm

Activists and Cowlitz County commissioners complimented each other Tuesday on their opposition to the now-defunct effort to build a liquefied natural gas terminal and pipeline.

"Thank you for listening to the concerns of Cowlitz County citizens when we came to you," LNG-opponent Gayle Kiser told commissioners Tuesday.

Kiser also complimented the county on getting the money up front from NorthernStar for environmental permit work. Clatsop County, she noted, was left with the now-bankrupt company owing the county $185,000 for permitting expenses. A contract Cowlitz County signed with NorthernStar required money be put in an account in increments before any work by the consultant begun.

More: http://www.tdn.com/news/local/article_d385584e-5d7b-11df-937e-001cc4c002e0.html

Behind the Story: NorthernStar and Bradwood Landing’s Bankruptcy Filings

A Tremendous Thank You

  This week was the answer to our dreams and the culmination of years of incredible hard work and dedication.  It proved that grassroots organizing can impact change.  Thank you to all the individuals, families, and organizations that were a part of this monumental effort.  To every person, who showed up at a meeting, testified, rallied, wrote a letter, submitted comment, talked to your neighbors, friends, or family, or who were with us in body or spirit, the Columbia River thanks you.  LNG, stay out of the Columbia River!

  Five years ago, we were a number of small groups looking for a way to fight four proposed LNG proposals on the Columbia.  Fortunately, Peter Huhtala introduced us to Brent Foster, Brett VandenHeuvel and Columbia Riverkeeper.  A Coalition was formed!!!!  And as they always say, “…and the rest is history.”  

   Yes, it is time to celebrate now.  Unfortunately, the celebration has to be short.  We have defeated one project but OregonLNG, Jordan Cove, and Northwest Natural Gas and the Palomar Pipeline are still on our table.  We cannot let energy speculators and utility companies in combination with questionable business behavior destroy the quality of life in the Pacific Northwest.

  So bask in the glow of our recent success and prepare to renew our efforts.  Thanks again and I will close with a quote from Margaret Mead that should be our mantra,

“Never doubt that a group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”

 

Wahkiakum Friends of the River