State of Oregon Submits Strong Request for FERC to Rehear Approval of Jordan Cove LNG

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monday, April 20, 2020

CONTACT:

Allie Rosenbluth, 541-816-2240, allie@rogueclimate.org

State of Oregon Submits Strong Request for FERC to Rehear Approval of Jordan Cove LNG

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — The State of Oregon has now submitted a rehearing request urging FERC “to grant this request for rehearing, withdraw the Order, and issue an order denying the Authorizations” for the Jordan Cove LNG export project. In their request, Oregon State agencies argue that FERC improperly issued a conditional approval for Jordan Cove LNG despite multiple failures by Pembina to acquire necessary state permits. The State of Oregon argues: 

“FERC impermissibly issued the Authorizations in a manner that both violates and allows violations of federal environmental laws that the State implements, including the CWA [Clean Water Act], the CAA [Clean Air Act] and the CZMA [Coastal Zone Management Act]. The Authorizations permit the applicant to cause irreparable harm to the environment prior to the State’s exercise of its delegated responsibilities under these federal laws.” (State Petition for Rehearing at 14.)

After FERC approved the project on March 19th, Governor Kate Brown responded with a statement that she would defend the decisions that Oregon agencies make on the fracked gas export project: 

“I want to reiterate that I will not stand for any attempt to ignore Oregon’s authority to protect public safety, health, and the environment. I have asked the state’s lawyers to consider all appropriate legal action to assure that Oregon permitting processes will be followed. And let me be clear to the concerned citizens of Southwest Oregon: Until this project has received every single required permit from state and local agencies, I will use every available tool to prevent the company from taking early action on condemning private property or clearing land.”

"The State's petition for rehearing shows that Oregon's expert agencies plan to fight for clean water for fishing and drinking, landowners threatened by eminent domain, and a stable climate for our kids," said Stacey Detwiler, Conservation Director for Rogue Riverkeeper. "The State is standing its ground against Pembina and FERC, even in the middle of a global public health crisis. We appreciate and applaud this action."

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