Local Congressman Opposes LNG Terminal on Lower Columbia

Kathie Durbin writing in The Columbian reports that

"U.S. Rep. Brian Baird announced this week he will oppose a plan to locate a liquefied natural gas terminal on the lower Columbia River. Baird's announcement came after he reviewed a long-awaited U.S. Coast Guard report describing the security measures that would be required to move LNG tankers safely over the Columbia River bar and upriver to a proposed terminal 40 miles east of Astoria. 'After reviewing the (report), I believe there is enough compelling evidence to oppose the proposed LNG project,' Baird said in a press release. 'While there may be local benefits to the project, including job creation and additional gas production, the overall negative impacts on the entire river system are too great for me to support.' Houston-based Northern Star Natural Gas has proposed to import natural gas from Russia, Australia and other countries, shipping the gas in superchilled liquid form in double-hulled tankers to a terminal on the lower Columbia. "

An environmental impact statement is expected soon.