Resolution Regarding LNG Terminal and Pipeline at Bradwood Landing

Whereas,  Northern Star, LLC has proposed a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal and pipeline at Bradwood Landing, 35 miles up the Columbia River;

Whereas,  Six Oregon state agencies[1] have reviewed the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding the Bradwood Landing project and have articulated the following major problems with the proposal:

·                    The FERC has not provided any independent assessment of the demand for LNG to justify the need for the project.

·                    The terminal project would conflict with regional and national efforts to restore the Columbia River and its estuary.

·                    Proposed dredging for the terminal, turning berth and pipeline would significantly damage the watershed, water quality, and sensitive species and habitat.

·                    No commitment has been made for emergency-response resources to operate Bradwood Landing; nor were safety and security implications for the local community adequately assessed.

·                    Significant fish habitat would be lost, and proposed remedies are inadequate.

·                    LNG ships would be very disruptive to commercial and recreational fishing boats.

·                    Air pollution emissions from LNG ships would pose a significant risk to residents of the lower Columbia River area.

·                    The Bradwood Landing site would present severe natural hazards from landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding.

Whereas, Most of these major problems would apply to any LNG import terminal that might be proposed to be located on the Columbia River; and

Whereas, Importing LNG, a foreign fossil fuel, would not contribute to Oregon’s goal of 25% renewable energy by 2012.

Whereas, The issue of pipeline compatibility has not yet been fully addressed.

Whereas, Bradwood Landing has not finalized a compensation agreement with the Commercial Fishing Industry on the lower Columbia River. 

Therefore, we, the Columbia County Democratic Central Committee, call upon Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, United States Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, United States Representative David Wu, Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson and Oregon State Representatives Debbie Boone and Brad Witt, to do everything in their power to stop all LNG import terminal development on the Columbia River until these issues are resolved

Adopted by the Columbia County Democratic Central Committee on Nov 27, 2007