LNG Foes Cheer Coos County Decision

LNG  COOS BAY  ENVIRONMENT 

By Rob Manning

Astoria, OR  July 16, 2008 3:32 p.m.

Oregon’s land-use court delivered a blow this week to one of the state's proposed liquefied natural gas terminals. Rob Manning reports.

LNG foes in Astoria cheered when the news came out that the Land Use Board of Appeals had overturned an LNG approval from Coos County.

Laurie Caplan is leading a referendum campaign to block a similar proposal for the Columbia River.  It also got a green-light from county commissioners.

She’s hoping voters in Clatsop County will reach the same conclusion as LUBA did, for Coos Bay.

Laurie Caplan:  “LUBA has just said that we’re right. What has people just angry, is that these big companies are coming in, and we’re suppose to do whatever they want.”

Caplan’s group is fighting Bradwood Landing, the proposal considered furthest along in the federal process.

LNG foes tend to cite safety and environmental threats as the biggest problems. Supporters say the terminal offers jobs and a reliable supply of natural gas.

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© 2008 OPB