Officials with Jordan Cove Energy Project hope to turn its proposed liquefied natural gas import terminal into an export terminal, according to The World newspaper in Coos Bay.
The article cites project manager Bob Braddock as saying that the company planned to submit an application Thursday for a natural gas export permit.
Recently Braddock told the media that company leaders were considering the idea because domestic gas is now less expensive than imported gas.
This came after years of denying the intention to export domestic natural gas.
Some opponents of the plan include Ivan Maluski, Conservation Director for the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club.
“There’s a bit of a bait and switch going on,” Maluski said. “In many ways it’s not a surprise. We’ve known for some time that LNG export is what these guys have been wanting to do.”
Maluski believes that Jordan Cove Energy Project’s plans are not in the public’s best interest. He said the U.S. Department of Energy recently approved another company’s request to export liquefied natural gas from Louisiana despite evidence that the export could raise gas prices by as much as 11 percent.
He stated that the high demand for gas in Asia, and Asian countries’ willingness to pay higher prices for gas than their American counterparts, would raise gas prices.
“In addition to environmental impact in Oregon from piplelines crossing rivers, farms and forests to dredging sensitive estuaries and bays, LNG export would have tremendous negative impacts on the economy,” Maluski said.
Jordan Cove Energy Project officials could not be reached for comment.
