Continuing the Fight Against LNG

The Surfrider Foundation Coos Bay Chapter has been working to prevent the development and construction of a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export facility in Coos Bay. The Jordan Cove LNG pipeline and export facility threatens over 400 waterways, eliminates critical estuarine habitat and permanently alters recreational features essential to the local population and tourism industry.

Approval for this project would require several permits at the local, state, and federal levels. Recently, Surfrider Foundation provided comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) the applicant submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the federal agency that regulates the transmission and wholesale sale of electricity and natural gas and regulates the transportation of oil by pipeline in interstate commerce). If you love policy and legalese, you can read the full nine pages of comments. If that doesn't strike your fancy, here are some of the top level points:

• The Draft EIS completely fails to identify existing in-water recreation and does not address potential threats and displacement of those activities.
  • How will the safety of ocean-going recreational non-motorized vessels be accounted for in the operations of the LNG vessels and facility?
  • How will channel modification and project development impact unique surfing and diving opportunities within the bay and along the north spit?
  • How will project operations impact unique surfing and diving opportunities within the bay and along the north spit?
• The Jordan Cove LNG proposal does not follow the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators industry standards in the siting of the terminal, turning basin and shipping channel.
• The LNG terminal site is located on a sand spit in a Tsunami zone and within the Cascadia Subduction fault zone. Do we really need to explain why that is concerning?
• Surfrider has grave concerns that the project violates the National Environmental Protection Act and other federal, state, and local laws.

Surfrider has called on FERC to deny Jordan Cove's application in a way that will not allow the company to reapply (called denying the project with prejudice). The decision from FERC – which is expected in September 2019 – could finally kill this project once and for all. But we're not just going to sit around and wait to see what happens. There are still more ways to fight this ludicrous project.

New Opportunity for Public Comment!!! The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) recently opened a 60-day public comment period on the coastal impacts of Pembina’s proposed Jordan Cove LNG project. Comments are due to DLCD on Saturday, September 21 by email at coast.permits@state.or.us or mail to 634 Capitol Street NE, Suite 150, Salem, OR 97301. Surfrider will work with our anti-LNG partners to offer comment writing workshops. Keep an eye on the Coos Bay Chapter's facebook page or email Sam at chair@coosbay.surfrider.org for upcoming LNG-related events.