Date set for building pipeline  

     Construction on a $1.2 billion, 234-mile long natural gas pipeline, which would be used to move natural gas from Coos Bay to Malin, is scheduled to begin in 2012.

   The Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline would move natural gas through a 36-inch diameter pipeline for distribution in southwest Oregon and other regions.

   During the pipeline construction, currently planned over a 3-1/2 year period beginning in 2012, about 1,400 workers would be employed. After construction, the Pacific Connector would provide five or six permanent jobs.  

   Bob Braddock, a Jordan Cove Energy Project spokesman, told a group of community leaders Thursday that the pipeline would generate about $8 million annually for taxing districts along the pipeline route. He had no specifics, but said payments would probably be equally shared by Coos, Douglas, Jackson and Klamath counties.

   Subsidiaries of Williams, PC&E Corporation and Fort Chicago Energy Partners are jointly pursuing the project.

   In Klamath County

   About a quarter of the pipeline would run though Klamath County. Of the 385 total landowners affected by the pipeline, 150 are in Klamath County, including 146 private property owners and four public land agencies.

   Among the landowners is John Dey of the WC Ranch near Merrill. Dey organized Thursday’s session to update members of Team Klamath, an informal group that includes Klamath Basin business owners and government officials. State Rep. Bill Garrard (R-Klamath Falls), all three Klamath County commissioners, Klamath Falls City Manager Jeff Ball and two Klamath Falls Council members, Bud Hart and Trish Seiler, were among those in attendance.

   Coos Bay terminal

   Natural gas would be sent from the proposed Jordan Cove Energy LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) Terminal in Coos Bay. Construction costs for the terminal are estimated at $1.2 billion.

   “This is a growing market, even in a declining economy,” Braddock said of the demand for natural gas.

   Because the projects are still in study phases, no negotiations have been held with landowners on purchasing 95-foot wide rights-of-way during pipeline construction and 50-foot wide permanent land holdings.  

   Braddock and Dan Lattin, the project manager, said the major short- and long-term impacts from the Jordan Cove Terminal would primarily benefit Coos Bay and Coos County.

   Under questioning from Seiler, Braddock said the volume of natural gas used in Oregon would vary by season, but he estimated about 40 percent would be used in Oregon with 60 percent used elsewhere, mostly in California. He compared the natural gas distribution system with electricity.  

   Rodney Gregory, who is involved in land purchases, told Seiler that in the past land purchases for gas pipelines disputes almost always were settled out of court. He said 4 to 5 percent of landowners are served eminent domain papers and about 1 percent end up in court. Nearly all cases are resolved without formal litigation.

   Braddock said the current timetable includes receiving a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission certificate decision sometime this summer; finalizing all state and federal permits by mid-2010; starting terminal construction next summer; beginning pipeline construction in Apr il 2012; and having the system operating by 2014.

Sice Bar

Surveys show support for gas projects     

   Surveys by promoters of the Jordan Cove Energy Project and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline done last fall indicate support for both projects, according to information presented at a Thursday meeting.

   Overall support for the pipeline project was 54 percent in the four counties, with the breakdown showing 56 percent in favor, 21 opposed and 23 don’t know in Coos County; 55, 32 and 13 percent in Douglas; 46, 32 and 22 percent in Jackson; and 60, 33 and 7 percent in Klamath.

   Several groups have mounted campaigns against the project, which also has been opposed by Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Strong vocal objections to the pipeline project have been expressed at hearings outside Klamath County.

   Information about the project is available online at  www.pacificconectorgp.com.