AUGUST 2008: AROUND THE STATE
Vote, then no vote for FERC’s decision on LNG
ASTORIA In a move that surprised both proponents and opponents
of a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal near Astoria, the
federal agency charged with approving the facility decided in
early July — months earlier than expected — to make
a ruling on the project.
Five days later, the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee
surprised everyone again by delaying the vote. FERC could
choose to vote at any time, but it’s likely it will wait
until a meeting on Sept. 18.
No one knows what is going to happen in the meantime. Gov. Ted
Kulongoski has been highly critical of FERC’s
environmental studies on the project and has called for new
research. Which, says spokesperson Jillian Schoene, he’s
hoping FERC is now going to do. The potential environmental
impact of the project, which would sit 20 miles upriver from
Astoria, has generated ongoing controversy.
Project-backer NorthernStar Natural Gas thinks FERC needed more
time to prepare for the vote. “We’re certainly
prepared to wait a little longer to ensure the order is
prepared correctly,” says Joe Desmond, SVP for external
relations.
ABRAHAM HYATT
