It’s Not Over Yet; FERC Approves Jordan Cove Terminal, But State Permits Required

In the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic and national health emergency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted this morning to approve the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline on the condition that it qualifies for permits from the State of Oregon.

Because of sustained opposition from our communities for over 15 years, Jordan Cove LNG has failed to qualify for any necessary state permits to dredge Coos Bay for the LNG terminal and to trench across Oregon for a 230-mile fracked gas pipeline.

Jordan Cove LNG cannot move forward without state permits. Last spring, the Oregon DEQ denied Jordan Cove LNG’s Clean Water Act permit, and this February the Oregon DLCD denied Jordan Cove LNG’s Coastal Zone permit. Anticipating another permit denial, Pembina withdrew its Removal-Fill application from the Oregon DSL in January.

Read and share the response to today’s decision from impacted landowners, Tribal members, commercial fishermen, and more here.

Even though Jordan Cove LNG can’t start construction without essential state permits, with this decision the federal government is giving a Canadian fossil fuel corporation the power to start the process of seizing private property from over 90 southern Oregon landowners.

We all need to take action to prevent that from happening.

Senator Wyden has promised to oppose this project if Jordan Cove LNG ever tried to use eminent domain. We need him to stand with our communities today.

Will you send a message to Senator Wyden asking him to take a stand against Jordan Cove LNG and to ensure that the federal administration doesn’t use public focus on the global health crisis as an opportunity to ram Jordan Cove LNG through?

Last week, the administration already took advantage of the pandemic crisis by rushing through Senate approval of James Danley, another fossil fuel insider, to sit on the FERC commission, even though his nomination had been rejected only a few months before.

As a result of Oregon’s strong permit denials, we expect Gov. Kate Brown’s administration to oppose any effort to impose the Jordan Cove LNG project on Oregon without state permits. Impacted landowners, Tribal governments, and environmental and climate organizations also will be submitting challenges to FERC’s decision over the next 30 days.

Our communities will continue to stand united until Pembina cancels the proposed fracked gas pipeline and export terminal for good.

We can do this,

Allie Rosenbluth

Rogue Climate and Power Past Fracked Gas