Community members and climate activists celebrated a win when the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) voted 2-to-1 to delay their decision on the approval of the Jordan Cove Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) on February 20. Commissioner McNamee stated that FERC needed more time to review permit denials from the State of Oregon, including the State’s Coastal Zone permit denial, which was announced on the eve of the FERC decision. Commissioner Glick, on the other hand, said the project was not in the public interest.
“This project has been hanging over our heads and threatening our home with eminent domain for over 15 years,” said Sandy Lyon, an impacted landowner in Douglas County. “FERC should follow the lead of Oregon and deny Jordan Cove LNG for good. Our communities have made it clear and we deserve an end to this project.”
Since the project’s introduction in 2004, FERC has rejected it twice, and the State of Oregon has denied it a number of the key permits it needs to move forward. The project’s construction would require Coos Bay to be dredged for an LNG terminal, and a trench to be dug across Oregon for a 230-mile fracked gas pipeline, threatening harm to Tribal resources, private landowners, drinking water and fishing grounds along the way. Although the project is opposed by a majority of Oregonians, according to a 2019 poll, the Trump administration has made the completion of this project one of its top priorities.
Nonetheless, over 40,000 people sent comments to FERC opposing Jordan Cove LNG, and hundreds showed up in opposition at public hearings in Coos, Douglas, Jackson and Klamath counties last summer.
“Tens of thousands of people across the region have spoken out against this Jordan Cove LNG for over a decade. The State of Oregon has listened to our concerns and so should FERC,” said Allie Rosenbluth, Campaigns Director for Rogue Climate. “It’s time to put an end to Jordan Cove LNG for good this time so our communities can focus on creating local jobs in clean energy instead.”
