FERC misses first LNG hearing

Artists conception of a proposed liquid natural gas facility on the Columbia River.

Tools

Story Published: Oct 27, 2008 at 9:54 PM PDT

By Erica Rush

Video

NORTH BEND, Ore. - In what was suppose to be the first formal public hearing in front of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, supporting LNG, turned out to be nothing more than a community debate.

Nearly 200local residents who have a stake in the proposed Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal at Coos Bay's North Spit., came together Tuesday night at the North Bend Community Center to voice their comments and concerns to FERC, but they didn't show.

This was the just first of four public hearings to be held across Southern Oregon, but the voice of more than 40 speaking members of the night will have to be transcribed and sent to FERC to review later.

FERC issued the Environmental Impact Statement last August on behalf of the Jordan Cove Energy Projects Terminal and the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, but opponents of the project say there's still too much environmental risk involved.

"When I heard about this LNG Terminal, I couldn't believe that people would even consider having it with their water. The ground water contaminated by leaks, which would eventually happen because nothing man made is perfect, Eventually something is going to leak."

Proponents agree this new LNG Terminal will create the kind of jobs the South Coast has been waiting for, but others say if that's the case, we need to take a vote on the matter, like our forefathers did.

"If Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Henry were here tonight, they would have one thing to say to us all... We ought to have a vote," said one opponent.

Written public comments are being accepted until December 4, at which time the FERC will compile them to complete a final EIS.

Current Weather

Current Temp 63.0 °F

Fair

Video

More Weather

Current Weather

More Weather

New:

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.