State officials pursuing LNG permitting

Washington state officials are asking the Federal Energy Regulator Commission to make sure NorthernStar Natural Gas follows state regulations if it is permitted to construct a pipeline across Cowlitz County.

Wahkiakum County Commissioner George Trott reported Tuesday that he had attended a meeting last week in which state officials outlined their strategy to Cowlitz County officials.

NorthernStar and its subsidary Bradwood Landing Natural Gas have applied for federal permits to build a receiving terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) at Bradwood, across the Columbia River from the lower end of Puget Island and construct a pipe to the Clatskanie area and then across the Columbia and Cowlts County to connect with an existing pipeline along Interstate 5 near Lexington.

The proposals have drawn opposition from citizens on both sides of the river who fear the projects will have adverse impacts existing commerce and the environment and even pose a danger to people living or working near them.

The FERC has issued its final environmental impact statement on the project and could rule at any time on the application.

Trott reported that officials from the office of Governor Chris Gregoire and the Washingotn Department of Ecology said they are pressing FERC to make sure the pipeline sponsors meet the requirements of the state Clean Water Act. There may be other standards, such as the Forest Practices Act, which should be followed, he said.

The DOE also said it would work with Cowlitz officials on a local environmental reivew of pipeline plans.

"Our state officials are focusing on the pipeline because that's what's in the state," Trott said.

"A lot depends on how FERC handles it," Trott said. "The DOE has been talking FERC and Bradwood Landing and trying to get them to work with local officals better."