Looking out toward the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal site near Coos Bay, Oregon.
Jes Burns / OPB/EarthFix
A liquefied natural gas project along the Southern Oregon coast is — once again — moving forward. Jordan Cove LNG backers have filed an application with the federal government that starts the facility’s environmental review process.
The project would transport natural gas to the Port of Coos Bay. There it would be liquefied and exported to Asia.
Environmental groups and landowners are fighting the proposal, which has
twice been denied by federal regulators
.
Hannah Sohl is with Rogue Climate, a group that opposes the terminal.
“This project would have pretty devastating impacts to tribal territories, to rivers and streams, to private landowners and their property rights, as well as climate impacts,” Sohl said. "We have a strong and growing coalition, and we're prepared to take down Jordan Cove for the third time."
Backers said this time, the project is different. Michael Hinrichs is a spokesman for Jordan Cove.
"While this project is 90 percent the same, roughly, the remaining changes have actually made the project more efficient, cleaner, smaller — from an environmental impact standpoint," Hinrichs said.
Opponents say Oregon should be looking more toward renewable energy instead of fossil fuels — something they hope state regulators pay attention to.
Jody McCaffree, with Citizens Against LNG, said it's frustrating having to fight this project for a third time, after she's worked against the project for 13 years.
"I don't care how they want to paint this project. It's a poor project that should not occur," McCaffree said. "It takes a lot of energy and time and stress (to fight the project). I've aged a lot. I've got a lot of gray hairs, and I don't really want to have to do it again."