Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon lawmakers considered a bill Thursday that would lay out additional hurdles for liquefied natural gas projects in the state.

Three proposals would import LNG into Oregon - two would be close to the mouth of the Columbia River; the third in Coos Bay.

The new bill would require LNG proponents to prove the need for the resource, among other requirements, before they could build terminals or pipelines.

Joe Desmond, with the LNG company Northern Star, says the bill is unnecessary, and would not withstand a court challenge.

Joe Desmond: “It would create an effective ban on LNG and related natural gas infrastructure, at a time when Oregon is using more natural gas to electricity, it needs more natural gas fired power to firm up renewable energy sources, and its existing supplies of natural gas are being constrained in different parts due to competition from other states.”

Desmond emphasized to lawmakers that the state has authority to deny necessary environmental permits. He says investors will determine the economic need.

Union leaders testified against expanding the state’s authority over LNG. Environmentalists spoke in favor of the bill.