Oregon Public Broadcasting

State regulators plan to suspend their consideration of permits for a liquefied natural gas terminal proposed for the Columbia River. Rob Manning reports.

The Oregon Attorney General’s office told LNG company, Northern Star, that air and water permits required for the Bradwood Landing site won’t be moving forward. A recent decision by Oregon's Land Use Board of Appeals nullified part of Clatsop County's approval of the project.

Environmental Quality spokeswoman Marcia Danab, says that decision undermines the permit process.

Marcia Danab: “The LUBA decision is still under appeal. This suspension will continue until that’s basically figured out.”

This week’s letter says Northern Star will have to agree to a suspension - but not agreeing would likely result in the permits being denied.

Project opponent, Columbia Riverkeeper, calls the suspension a “major blow.” But state regulators say they had already informally tabled the permits, when legal challenges began.