Should the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) approve the proposed Pacific Connector Liquid Gas Pipeline and Jordan Cove Energy Project?

The Pacific Connector Pipeline is a 231.82 mile, 36 inch pipeline currently routed to run from the area around Malin, Oregon to the proposed Jordan Cove export terminal in Coos Bay (“Citizens Against LNG Working for a renewable world.”)

The controversial project was first initiated in 2004 by Energy Products Development LLC. In the 13 years since its creation the project has been rejected twice by FERC, most recently in December of last year. The current owner, Veresen, has already begun pre-filing a third application hoping for a more sympathetic ruling under the current Trump administration (“Citizens Against LNG Working for a renewable world.”)

This project has been such a debated issue for many reasons. These include environmental justice concerns about the risks to Native Klamath culture, and land, as well as the degradation of national forests and the resulting threat to endangered species. There are also issues that would impact the local community of Coos Bay, as many of the citizens would face potential harm or displacement due to the instability of the pipeline pipeline.

The Jordan Cove Energy Project has gained strong support from proponents of the fossil fuel industry, and is being praised for the jobs that it would create and the money that it would bring to our state. This is a major factor that supporters of the pipeline are leveraging, as Oregon is in desperate need of increased tax revenue.

The pipeline has become even more hotly debated after the protests that occurred in Standing Rock over the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. As the movement against fossil fuel infrastructure grows, pipeline projects like the Pacific Connector will continue to face more criticism and protests. This is especially true in the context of the increasing media coverage of indigenous actors in environmental conflict. 

Sources: 

“Citizens Against LNG Working for a renewable world.” Citizens Against LNG | For the Record. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2017.

“Reminder! Meeting today, Friday (March 24th) in Klamath Falls, Oregon 4-8pm.” Klamath Tribes News and Events. Klamath Tribes, n.d. Web. 19 May 2017.