Court voids license for Astoria LNG terminal

Bradwood Landing was an industrial site from 1856 until 1965. It housed a lumber mill, company town and deep water port.

The Associated Press, Oregon Live, March 02, 2011

ASTORIA (AP) -- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided Wednesday to throw out the license for the proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal near Astoria, the Daily Astorian reported.

But the court didn't rule on an aspect of the case that would affect North Bend's Jordan Cove project.

The court vacated Bradwood Landing's license because the project's promoter is bankrupt and the license can't be transferred to another party.

It didn't comment on the merits of the project, nor did it comment on an issue that could affect the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal in North Bend: The fact that the Federal Environmental Regulatory Commission gave the facility a license before state permits were issued.

That was why the states of Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe, and a coalition of environmental groups appealed FERC's decision to the appeals court. On Wednesday, the court noted that the state's concern was moot.

In January 2010, the state and environmental groups requested FERC to rehear a license decision on the Jordan Cove LNG terminal project proposed for the North Spit of Coos Bay, for the same reason.

If FERC denies that request, the coalition has said it plans to appeal the decision to the appeals court.

Opponents pleased

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued the license to construct an LNG terminal and pipeline near Astoria on Sept. 18, 2008.

Said Columbia Riverkeeper Executive Director Brett VandenHeuvel, 'Bradwood LNG was a dominant environmental issue for five years, and now it is officially over." Foes feared possible impacts on fish, forests and farms.

The Bradwood project was planned to connect to a proposed Palomar Pipeline. After Bradwood's bankruptcy filing, Palomar and NW Natural effectively owned the Bradwood LNG permit. The Astorian said the future of the Palomar pipeline is unclear now.

Reporter Gail Elber contributed to this report.

She can be reached at 541-269-1222, ext. 234, or at gelber@theworldlink.com.

Copyright 2011 The World.

Source