LNG Draft Environmental Impact Statement "Incomplete And Flawed," According To Oregon Governor

Oregon Governor Kulongoski tells Federal Energy Regulatory Commission he doesn’t support statewide exclusion of LNG terminals, but the Bradwood Landing Draft EIS doesn’t meet state standards

December 18, 2007 -- Salem – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today sent his comments - with input from Oregon ’s natural resource agencies - to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in response to the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the Bradwood Landing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import terminal and its associated pipeline. The proposed LNG site is on the Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon.

In his cover letter with the comments, Governor Kulongoski expressed concerns about the proposal as it currently stands.

“As Governor of the State of Oregon, I do not support a statewide, categorical exclusion of LNG terminals from Oregon,” he wrote. “Locating an LNG import terminal in Oregon, however, must be supported by a comprehensive review of all potential impacts of the facility [and] the Bradwood Landing DEIS is incomplete and flawed in a number of respects.”

In his letter, the Governor pointed out that while it is true that the federal government has the ultimate authority over LNG terminals, the state does retain authority over LNG terminals in the areas of water quality, air quality, and coastal zone management.

Governor Kulongoski outlined several areas where the plans submitted by developer Northern Star for the Bradwood Landing LNG on the Columbia River do not meet Oregon standards in those areas.

Among the Governor’s concerns:

1. The need for the facility has not been established and the alternative analysis is inadequate relative to market data and natural gas supply;
2. The DEIS needs to adequately reflect scientific information from geotechnical reports;
3. In many cases, the DEIS depends on assertions that mitigation will be provided, but the details of the mitigation are unknown;
4. The proposed project would have adverse impacts on air and water quality in the Lower Columbia watershed;
5. The DEIS does not adequately include Oregon’s requirements for emergency response; and,
6. The DEIS does not contain mitigation recommendations requiring Northern Star to mitigate CO2 emissions and to provide financial assurance to retire the facility and to restore the site.

“In summary, I believe the State of Oregon and the Commission must fairly address all the benefits and costs associated with LNG facilities and determine if LNG has a role as a “bridge” source of energy for Oregon and the Northwest,” Governor Kulongoski wrote.

Ten state agencies submitted comments: Oregon Department Energy, Oregon Water Resources Department, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Oregon Department of State Lands, Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

Source: Oregon Governor

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