Oregon Terminal, Pipeline Projects Reach FERC Milestone

By Brad Kramer October 5, 2015 View Profile

The U.S. government has issued a final environmental review for a natural gas export terminal and pipeline in Oregon.

Jordan Cove Energy Project LP announced Sept. 30 that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a liquefied natural gas terminal in Coos Bay and a 231-mile pipeline from Malin, Oregon, to the terminal. Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline formally filed applications with the commission for approval to construct the facilities in 2013.

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Jordan Cove LNG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Veresen Inc., and Pacific Connector is owned equally by a subsidiary of Veresen and a subsidiary of The Williams Cos.

“The final EIS is a significant regulatory milestone for Veresen,” said Veresen president and CEO Don Althoff. “We have worked closely with federal, state and local regulatory agencies and with local communities over the past three years, and I’m extremely proud of all the effort and due diligence undertaken to ensure that the terminal and pipeline are designed to meet or exceed all of the required environmental standards.”

FERC’s “Notice of Schedule” was issued in June 2015 and provides for the issuance of a final order and certificates for Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector on or before Dec. 29. Veresen expects to obtain a FERC “Notice to Proceed” in mid-2016, leading to a final investment decision thereafter.

“Receipt of our final EIS demonstrates our strong progress on the permitting front and paves the way for Jordan Cove LNG to be the first LNG export facility to be built on the west coast,” added Elizabeth Spomer, president and CEO of Jordan Cove LNG. “This regulatory milestone will be viewed as great news by our target customers.”

Jordan Cove LNG will be among the largest commercial ventures in Oregon’s history and will foster regional prosperity through job creation, community investment and other local benefits, according to a company statement.