ADAM PEARSON, apearson@newsreview.info
January 24, 2007

Comments (0) Print Email Subscribe

WINCHESTER — They arrived with pickets, decried natural gas importation into southwest Oregon and voiced their suspicions, one after another, to a federal government representative.

Opponents of the proposed Pacific Connector pipeline and liquefied natural gas terminal, Jordan Cove in Coos Bay, made an overwhelming showing Tuesday night at Umpqua Community College.

Nearly 90 people from across Douglas County packed the campus dining room for a public information meeting on the joint projects.

Paul Friedman, the environmental project manager for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, reassured those in attendance that the federal agency is only an overseer of the two projects.

“We are a neutral party. Our job is to regulate and review” the projects’ application processes, he said.

Formal applications for the two projects, however, have not yet been made.

In May 2006, pre-filing process applications were made for the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, L.P., and Jordan Cove Energy Project, L. P.

The 223-mile pipeline, if built, would transmit re-gassified natural gas from Coos Bay to a main conduit near Malin, crossing much of Douglas County and southwest Oregon along the way.

Friedman discussed the environmental review process for the 3-foot-diameter pipeline, which would be capable of transmitting 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. He was flanked by representatives of the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service, federal agencies that are both cooperating with FERC in the projects’ review processes.

“We are conducting an environmental review before the application is put before us,” Friedman said.

John Styduhar, BLM’s project manager for the Pacific Connector’s right of way, said it’s unusual for FERC to call an informal meeting to better explain a project’s review process.

“This is an extraordinary event,” Styduhar said.

The Pacific Connector would be constructed by Williams Pacific Connector Gas Operator LLC, and jointly owned by the company and Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. and Fort Chicago Energy Partners LP.

Friedman said Williams and Jordan Cove are expected to make formal applications to FERC sometime between March and this summer.

Once applications are filed, Friedman said the public will have two more periods to send FERC comments on the projects.

Construction for the pipeline is estimated to be around $800 million.

Friedman cited three possible reasons for a denial of either project’s application: safety and engineering designs are found faulty; the U.S. Coast Guard finds the waterway in Coos Bay unsuitable for LNG transport; or potentially significant environmental impacts are realized.

He added that “Jordan Cove does not have to tell us where they are getting their LNG.”

After a quick PowerPoint presentation on how to make public comments on the projects to FERC, the audience became restless and ready to ask questions.

Bruce Gordon of Milo asked if FERC is also doing an economic review of the need for a natural gas infrastructure project, besides an environmental review.

Friedman said two different groups at FERC consider applications for projects such as the Pacific Connector and Jordan Cove — one for the environmental review, and one for the economic need.

So you know ...

WHAT: Sending public comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the proposed Pacific Connector and Jordan Cove projects. WHERE: by mail: FERC, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C., 20426; or by e-mail, using procedures found under “eFiling” at www.ferc.gov. HOW: All comments must cite docket numbers PF06-25-000, for Jordan Cove Energy Project, L.P.; and PF06-26-000, for Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, L.P.; on the first page. The Pacific Connector project has a Roseburg office, located at 161 Garden Valley Blvd., Suite 101.

Don Ollivant of Winston asked if the easement for the pipeline, which would require a width up to 100 feet during construction and at least 50 feet for maintenance, would become a public right of way.

Friedman said only private landowners can grant access to their property once an easement is put in.

The Pacific Connector is expected to cross a lot of private land, with about 40 miles of BLM land and 30 miles of national forest land in between.

Styduhar said preliminary analysis has shown that 10 to 15 million board feet of timber could come from federal lands — a sturdy kickback of timber receipts to counties after the easements are logged.

Styduhar said Williams doesn’t look favorably upon recreational vehicle use of the right of way, and would probably construct physical barriers for safety concerns.

Michael Fisher of Glide asked about the danger and possibility of the projects being targeted by terrorists.

Friedman said those concerns will be addressed in the EIS, which should be ready “several months after the application is filed.”

Sarah Byers of Roseburg wanted to know if the pipeline could go through the county without a conditional-use permit granted by the Board of Commissioners.

Friedman said yes, FERC certification overrides county law, as long as other federal laws don’t empower the county, such as the Coastal Zone Management Act or the Clean Water Act.

He added that certification grants the pipeline companies eminent domain and private landowners can seek reimbursement for damages in local court.

Friedman also said that FERC would require Williams to have their own inspectors, as well as inspectors hired from an independent group, present on each work site.

FERC would reserve the right to fine the pipeline contractor $1 million a day for any environmental mishap.

It was pointed out to Friedman that the Pacific Connector would pass through rough country in the Tiller Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest on its way to Malin.

“I agree that it’s tough terrain, but pipeline companies build on tough terrain all the time,” he said.

The growth of noxious weeds in the pipeline’s easement was another’s concern.

Styduhar said that’s the “paradox” of rights of way in Oregon, but the BLM has a listing of chemicals that would knock down growing weeds.

Rick Sohn, president of Lone Rock Timber Management Co., asked if existing rights of way will be considered as alternative routes.

Friedman said pipelines can’t always follow power lines, since they sometimes cross over canyons.

Styduhar said late successional reserves have been addressed as a major concern, but it’s not for certain they’ll be avoided 100 percent.

Friedman reminded the audience that all routing concerns should be addressed to Williams, while all environmental concerns should be addressed to FERC.

Richard Chasm of Olalla wanted to know if the pipeline companies would pass the cost of construction onto ratepayers.

Friedman said potential rate hikes must be considered in applications and are reviewed by FERC.

Troy Ruflin, Williams’ program manager for the Pacific Connector, said the company has about 4,000 miles of pipeline throughout the West that it maintains.



• You can reach reporter Adam Pearson at 957-4213 or by e-mail at apearson@newsreview.info.