Oregonians have been fighting a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) pipeline and export terminal in Coos Bay for more than a decade. The Jordan Cove Project, led by Canada-based Pembina, has been dubbed a “zombie” proposal that just won’t go away. There are so many moving pieces (several permits at the city, county, state, and federal levels) with this proposed project it can make even the most organized person’s head spin. Several permit decisions are currently being appealed – including Surfrider Foundation and Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition’s appeal of the Coos County Board of Commissioners’ Final Decision to approve a Conditional Use Permit for the Jordan Cove LNG facility.
Recently, opponents to the project received some great news – the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) denied Pembina’s request to extend the timeline on submitting additional materials for their Fill-Removal Permit Application.
In the denial letter, DSL listed several extensions that had already been provided and outlined “critical information” that Pembina has failed to provide in spite of these extensions. As a result, Pembina ultimately withdrew their application, forfeiting their application fee.
This particular permit is absolutely crucial for the Jordan Cove Project to move forward. Without it, Pembina cannot dredge sediment out of the Coos Bay navigation travel in order to make it suitable for the huge LNG tankers.
While we pause briefly to celebrate this victory, the battle certainly isn’t over.
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