The Jordan Cove LNG Project and the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline Project proposed by Jordan Cove Energy Project and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline has received a draft EIS from FERC.

The LNG terminal would be located in Coos County, Oregon and would be capable of liquefying up to 1.04 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day for export. The 200-acre LNG terminal site would include: a pipeline gas conditioning facility; five natural gas liquefaction trains; two full-containment LNG storage tanks and associated equipment; LNG loading platform and transfer line; marine facilities; an access channel from the existing Coos Bay Federal Navigation Channel to the LNG terminal; modifications adjacent to the existing Federal Navigation Channel. As proposed, the LNG terminal would be called upon by about 120 LNG carriers per year.

The pipeline would originate at interconnections with existing pipeline systems in Klamath County, Oregon, and would span parts of Klamath, Jackson, Douglas, and Coos Counties, Oregon, before connecting with the LNG terminal. The approximately 229-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter pipeline would be capable of transporting up to 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. Operating the pipeline would require the use of one compressor station and other associated pipeline facilities.

“We conclude that constructing and operating the Project would result in temporary, long-term, and permanent impacts on the environment,” stated FERC. “Many of these impacts would not be significant or would be reduced to less than significant levels with the implementation of proposed and/or recommended impact avoidance, minimisation, and mitigation measures. 

“However, some of these impacts would be adverse and significant. Specifically, we conclude that constructing the Project would temporarily but significantly impact housing in Coos Bay and that constructing and operating the Project would permanently and significantly impact the visual character of Coos Bay. Furthermore, constructing and operating the Project is likely to adversely affect 13 federally-listed threatened and endangered species including the marbled murrelet, northern spotted owl, and coho salmon.”

FERC’s environmental and LNG engineering construction inspection programs would ensure compliance with all applicants’ commitments, and the conditions of any FERC Authorization and Certificate. It then went on to list a number of mitigation measures for Jordan Cove to minimise the impact on the environment.

“In addition, we recommend that the Project-specific impact avoidance, minimisation, and mitigation measures that we have developed (included in the draft EIS as recommendations) be attached as conditions to any Authorisation and Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the Commission for the Project.”

For more information visit www.ferc.gov

8th April 2019