LNG Action Alert!

In order to defeat the Jordan Cove LNG terminal and connecting pipeline, we need to get our opinions out there and gain our politician’s support. We also need to make this issue front and center on the agendas of any groups or organizations that could possibility support our stand against this project, especially environmental groups working in this state.

Here's your chance to do just that. Please attend Senator Wyden’s Town Hall Meeting and bring your friends. Also, pass this message along. There is power in numbers. We can make a difference!

Thursday, February 22, 4:00 p.m.

Ron Wyden Town Hall Meeting

Douglas County Library, Ford Community Room
1409 NE Diamond Lake Boulevard, Roseburg

 

Another meeting you might want to attend…

Friday, February 23, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

"Southern Oregon’s Chance to be Heard"

Oregon Senate Environment and Natural Resource Committee

Jackson County Courthouse Auditorium

There will be a public hearing on SB 600, which directs the Water Resources Department to conduct a statewide water supply and opportunities assessment. There will also be a general public hearing on environment and natural resource concerns. This is Southern Oregon residents chance to make their voices heard on any issues they care about.

 

Past Article on Senator Wyden’s Position on LNG – Let’s keep the pressure on!

8/25/2006 By CASSANDRA PROFITA

The Daily Astorian

When U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden asked the crowd at his town hall meeting in Astoria to stand up if they opposed the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas project. About 60 people responded.

The 10 to 15 people who stood in support of the terminal were scant by comparison, but Wyden gave both sides equal opportunities Thursday to voice concerns.

Wyden took questions at the Columbia River Maritime Museum for an hour and a half in keeping with a 1995 campaign pledge to hold a public meeting in every county every year he held office.

It was clear from the 15 people wearing bright red anti-LNG T-shirts at the front of the room that the Bradwood Landing project would come up.

Located approximately 40 miles east of Astoria on the Columbia River, Bradwood Landing is the site of Northern Star Natural Gas Company's proposed liquefied natural gas terminal. There are five terminals being considered in Oregon, four on the Columbia and one at Coos Bay.

Bradwood is the furthest along in the federal approval process. The terminal could be ready for operation by 2011 if approved, according to Northern Star CEO William "Si" Garrett.

Terry Kiesel, a resident of Puget Island, Wash., which is across from the Bradwood site, launched a debate on the facility by telling Wyden Northern Star Natural Gas is "paying off' communities on the Columbia River in exchange for disrupting their way of life and putting them at risk. Last week, Northern Star made a $100,000 donation to the Wahkiakum County Community Foundation and promised yearly contributions which will total up to $24.4 million if the facility is built.

Wyden did not take a position on the Bradwood Landing project or liquefied natural gas as a source of energy. He responded by reminding the audience that he voted against the Energy Act of 2005 to "keep the feds from trouncing and stomping over the states and calling the shots" and to "protect community voices."

Last year, about six months after Northern Star began the pr-filing process for its liquefied natural gas terminal, Congress passed the Energy Act and gave the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for LNG facilities.

"Essentially what that vote in the Senate meant that FERC could walk all over local communities," he said. "My side did not prevail."

The senator said he would like to see FERC develop a system of grading all proposed LNG terminal sites based on factors such as their effect on the local economy, environment and quality of life.

"That way people would have a way of comparing one site to another," he said.

Wyden then called for someone to speak in support of Bradwood Landing, and Paul Johnson, a Georgia-Pacific employee at Wauna Mill, said the region needs "family-wage" jobs with benefits.

"Sixty to 65 families with kids would have jobs," he said, citing a jobs figure Northern Star Natural Gas has projected.

From the opposing side, Melissa Wilkie, who wore a red anti-LNG T-shirt, told Wyden she was worried about the secrecy of the LNG emergency management plans, as well as the cost of implementing them.

Wyden said another reason he voted against the Energy Act was to ensure as much information sharing as possible. He said he sees the desire for information to be common ground between the two sides of the LNG debate.

Shifting back to the LNG supporters, Wyden called on Barry White, who said he had a group of Bradwood Landing supporters who are looking forward to lower natural gas costs.

In reply, Vonda Black, a resident of Longview, Wash., said the states of Oregon and Washington are overlooking alternative sources of energy, including wind and geothermal.

The final word on LNG went to John Dunzer of Seaside, who said he had not been paid to support Northern Star but he thinks Bradwood Landing is a good project. He said he has served on local government bodies and believes it is appropriate for FERC to be handling the Bradwood proposal.

"They shouldn't let local government handle this because local government is totally, utterly inept," he said. "Let them get on with the program and do it right."

Dunzer ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Port of Astoria Commission in 2005. He was later selected to serve on the port's alternative energy committee. The committee has been looking into projects that would run in conjunction with the Bradwood Landing project, including bio-diesel manufacturing, a wind farm and a wood-waste-burning facility.

Wyden wrapped up the topic by telling the audience he would do what he could to make additional information available. At the close of the meeting, he commended them for participating in democracy.

"There's not enough of this going on in our country," he said. "We had a real discussion. We heard from people for Bradwood Landing and against and nobody was screaming."

For more details contact:

Citizens Against the Pipeline, Diane Phillips, dphillips77@tymewyse.com 837-3690 or Bruce Gordon, commgdn@pioneer-net.com 825-3780.