Energy Program News

As the new home of OSPIRG's environmental work, Environment Oregon can be contacted regarding this news release.

The U.S. Senate today rejected an amendment to give state governors a say in the siting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities by a vote of 52-45. The Senate energy bill as currently written gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) full authority over siting these dangerous facilities, four of which are proposed in Oregon. LNG terminals represent serious potential dangers for local communities - an explosion at an LNG facility could kill and injure people within three-quarters of a mile. As such, they also put potential terrorist targets in communities.

Given the dangers, proposed LNG terminals have generated substantial opposition in Oregon communities. These communities, and the state and local governments that represent them, should not be shut out of the decision making process.

We applaud Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden for voting to protect states' rights to weigh in on these important decisions.

For more information on liquefied natural gas provisions in the energy bill, go to http://newenergyfuture.com/factsheets/lngstatesrights.pdf and http://newenergyfuture.com/reports/lngfactsheet.pdf.