Oregon lawmakers hit liquefied-natural-gas plans

SALEM, Ore. — John Kroger, Oregon's new attorney general, took a hard line against proposed liquefied-natural-gas (LNG) terminals and pipelines Tuesday, saying they are bad for landowners, the environment and energy independence.

He was just one in a string of lawmakers who spoke at a Capitol rally Tuesday, promising movement on the environmental front and, as such, little movement on the natural-gas front.

More than 100 people gathered on the Capitol's steps, waving cardboard salmon and singing familiar tunes with ecologically-minded lyrics: "Oh, I want to be in that number, when we are free from LNG."

Meanwhile, proponents of the plans held their own news conference, arguing the terminals would create hundreds of jobs.

The proposals for three LNG terminals — which would import superchilled natural gas aboard tankers and warm it so it could be distributed regionally in pipelines — has become a divisive issue in Oregon. Landowners worry pipeline installation would destroy their property, though the companies involved have promised adequate compensation.

At the rally, Kroger said there were a number of reasons to oppose pipelines and terminals, but his main concern was dependence on foreign energy.

"For the last 50 years, this country has had no energy policy," he said. "Do you want LNG from Iran and Russia or do you want energy independence?"

The crowd preferred the latter.

Kroger said he was bound to protect Oregon law and wouldn't "twist the law into a pretzel" to deter interested companies, but said he would welcome legislation to make permitting more stringent.

Rep. Deborah Boone, D-Cannon Beach, has begun work on such legislation. Though the bill isn't complete, it would essentially force companies to prove that LNG is needed in the state, that the plan met public-safety standards and that natural resources would be protected. It would also require them to show the imported gas would be cheaper than local sources.

Of the proposed projects, the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal on the Columbia River, east of Astoria, is the closest to becoming reality.

On Thursday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is set to rule on appeals of the OK it granted for the terminal. If it denies the appeals, the project would need only state permits before proceeding.

The proposed legislation, however, could make that permitting more onerous.

Charles Deister, a spokesman for Bradwood's backer, NorthernStar Natural Gas, said in an e-mail that the bill's stipulations were "either unnecessary or unworkable."

"This bill concept would help ensure higher energy costs and cost even more Oregonians their jobs," he said.