FERC last week approved a request by Houston-based Northern Star Natural Gas LLC to begin an early review of its proposed Pacific Northwest liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated pipeline project under the agency’s pre-filing process of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Northern Star Natural Gas is proposing to build an LNG import terminal and pipeline project in Oregon and Washington, according to a letter order issued last Monday by J. Mark Robinson, director of FERC’s Office of Energy Projects [PF05-10]. It has targeted the facilities for completion in October 2006.

“We believe that it will be possible to coordinate with the other agencies, complete the process of producing an environmental impact statement and present our recommendations to the Commission in that timeframe,” he noted.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said it selected Natural Resource Group Inc., which has offices in Houston, as the third-party contractor for the Northern Star LNG project. In that role, the company will prepare environmental reports and compliance documents in support of Northern Star Natural Gas’s application.

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