On Thursday, the proposed Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector Pipeline project achieved a significant milestone with approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
This marks a substantial victory for the project, which has encountered numerous regulatory and political hurdles since its inception over a decade ago.
The project gained renewed momentum after being acquired by Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corporation in 2017.
The Pacific Connector Pipeline is designed to transport natural gas from Rockies basins to Coos Bay, Ore., for export to Asian markets.
Pembina Pipeline Corporation hailed FERC’s approval as a “significant step forward” and highlighted its historical significance as the first West Coast gas export facility to receive federal agency approval.
“We appreciate FERC’s science-based approach to their review. The approval emphasizes yet again that Jordan Cove is environmentally responsible and is a project that should be permitted given a prudent regulatory and legal process was undertaken,” said Harry Andersen, Pembina’s Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer.
FERC Commissioner Bernard McNamee voted in favor of the permit and said that “the project’s environmental impacts are acceptable considering the public benefits that will be provided by the project,” according to the AP.
Chairman Neil Chatterjee, along with another supporting vote, emphasized that Pembina, the company behind the Jordan Cove project, now bears the responsibility of obtaining local permits in addition to federal approval.
Pembina highlighted recent achievements, securing approval for all 14 local jurisdiction applications and permits, and obtaining voluntary easement agreements covering 77% of the privately-owned portion of the proposed pipeline route.
Despite this progress, the state of Oregon remains a significant obstacle, with the Department of Land Conservation and Development raising objections due to anticipated adverse effects.
Despite these challenges, Western States and Tribal Nations (WTSN) support the project, emphasizing its potential economic benefits and positive environmental impact on Asian countries.
WTSN President and CEO Andrew Browning believes that Jordan Cove will contribute to rural communities’ economic growth along the natural gas supply chain while helping reduce emissions in Asian nations.
“It also represents a way to help our friends and allies in Asia cut their emissions. The environmental gains that Jordan Cove and other LNG projects can help realize globally cannot be overstated. Over the last decade, the move to natural gas from higher-emission fuels has cut global emissions by the equivalent of 57 percent of South America’s entire emissions output,” Browning said.
The Jordan Cove project has been extensively covered by Western Wire. Notably, both of Colorado’s U.S. Senators, Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, have been longstanding supporters of the project.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, along with various other officials at the local, state, and federal levels across the Western region, also supports the initiative.
However, there are differing stances among leaders in the region. Colorado Governor Jared Polis has instructed the state to adopt a neutral position on the Jordan Cove project.
On the other hand, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley opposes the project, drawing bipartisan criticism from elected officials, businesses, and trade unions.
The divergent views among leaders in the region reflect the complex and contentious nature of the Jordan Cove project.