A hydropower dam needs water. A coal-fired power plant needs coal. And a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal needs natural gas. For Oregon LNG, Clatsop County’s unanimous decision denying the company’s permit for a 41-mile long natural gas pipeline stands in the way of its plans to become Oregon’s first LNG terminal. Last year, Oregon LNG sued the County after it rejected plans for a high-pressure natural gas pipeline running through forestland, farms, and wetlands. On June 30, 2014, the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) asked the County to take a second look at its decision to deny the Oregon LNG pipeline because one county commissioner was biased against LNG.
LUBA did not reach the issue of whether the County’s decision was consistent with local land use laws. Instead, LUBA found that a county commissioner was biased against LNG development and should have recused himself from voting on the pipeline. Now the County must take a new vote on whether Oregon LNG’s proposed pipeline complies with local laws.
“The County heard overwhelming testimony on why the proposed LNG pipeline violates Oregon’s land use laws designed to protect farms, forests, rivers and salmon. We are confident that when the County takes a second look at this shortsighted gas export project, it will again issue a resounding vote against LNG,” stated Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director for Columbia Riverkeeper.
Read Riverkeeper’s Press Release
Read LUBA’s Decision
The Land Board’s decision shifts the spotlight to Governor Kitzhaber and his state agencies. The federal government cannot approve the Oregon LNG export terminal and pipeline unless the State of Oregon approves the project. Oregon LNG lacks all of the major permits it needs before the Governor and state agencies can sign-off on the project.
Take Action -- Contact Governor Kitzhaber Today
Contact Governor Kitzhaber and urge him to direct the Department of Land Conservation and Development to stop delaying and make a final decision to reject Oregon LNG. Oregon LNG submitted its application without necessary local and state approvals, fully recognizing the gaps in its application. The State of Oregon should stop delaying and deny Oregon LNG.
