Interest builds in pipeline

Proposed LNG pipeline would run across southern part of county

By TY BEAVER
H&N Staff Writer

April 25, 2008

   Representatives of a natural gas pipeline project provided maps and information to Klamath County landowners Thursday at the Shilo Inn during an open house event. 

   It was the fourth meeting in Southern Oregon this week about the proposed the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, which would cut across the southern portion of Klamath County to a terminal in Malin. 

   Opponents voice concerns 

   Opponents from across the region attended the meeting to express their concerns, but others were in attendance to learn how the pipeline will impact them and Klamath County . 

   “Once in a while it’s good to touch base,” said Dan Lattin, project manager for the proposed pipeline. 

   Three energy companies are pursuing the project in order supply natural gas to markets in the Pacific Northwest and northern portions of California and Nevada . 

   If completed, the pipeline will deliver up to 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day. 

   Another project, the Jordan Cove liquid natural gas (LNG) terminal outside Coos Bay , would be the starting point for the pipeline. 

   Lattin said similar events during the week ranged from a sedate one in Coos Bay to a more tumultuous one in Canyonville. Klamath County residents have been more accommodating toward the project. 

   Anti-pipeline demonstrators were at the meeting with placards. 

   Richard Chasm, a real estate broker from Douglas County , said he is against the project primarily because of the Coos Bay terminal and its handling by the Coos County Board of Commissioners. 

   “This is the fifth or sixth scheme they’ve had to develop the North Spit,” he said. 

   Route concerns 

   Chasm also had concerns about the route of the pipeline, such as the weather and geologic conditions in the coastal mountains. However, he said he has nothing against the developers and sees Klamath County having few negative impacts from the project. 

   State Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls , said he’s been busy getting information on the project and others like it. He recently attended a meeting about the proposed Ruby Pipeline, which will run near Lakeview. 

   Landowners are interested in how the project would impact them, but the existence of similar pipelines in Klamath County help defuse major concerns. Whitsett said those in Shady Cove are primarily worried about the possibly disruption of their rural lifestyle. 

   The pipeline does have benefits, such as jobs and up to $2 million in tax revenue to Klamath County , but has its less attractive aspects as well. 

   “It does seem like we’re using Oregon resources for the benefit of California ,” he said.

Side Bar

Pipeline proposal not yet to public input phase

   An open house Thursday on the proposed Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline provided a forum for landowners, but the project has yet to reach the stage of public hearings. 

   Joe Iozzi, a contractor hired by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, said he has yet to issue a draft evaluation of the project that will guide the public comment aspect of the proposal and the project’s construction timeline. 

   Iozzi is still collecting information, such as geological data, that will impact the project. He couldn’t offer a time frame for when it would be available. 

   Once he releases his draft evaluation, the public and affected agencies, such as the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and local governments, would have the opportunity to comment to FERC. The federal agency will use that information to guide the approval process and any plan alterations. 

   Iozzi said weeks or months could pass before the project is close to receiving FERC approval. Even with a certificate from the federal agency, approval from each affected agency and government entity would be needed before construction could begin.

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