FERC said the 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government has forced it to delay by more than 40 days completion of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility and the companion Pacific Connector Pipeline project in Oregon.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in a notice last week that its staff plans to issue a draft EIS for both projects this month, followed by a final EIS on Oct. 11. The Commission said it currently anticipates issuing a final order for the projects no later than Jan. 9, 2020 [CP17-494, CP17-495].

“Due to the funding lapse at certain federal agencies between Dec. 22, 2018 and Jan. 25, 2019, an extension is required for the cooperating agencies to complete their respective input,” FERC said in the notice. The Commission was not directly affected by the shutdown.

Under a previous timeline issued last August, FERC said it planned to issue a final EIS for the projects on Aug. 30, followed by a final order on Nov. 29.

Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corp. has proposed building Jordan Cove at Coos Bay, OR. If the project is sanctioned, LNG tankers could arrive in 2024, according to Pembina. The 232-mile, 36-inch diameter Pacific Connector would traverse southern Oregon and terminate at Jordan Cove.

In other news, FERC gave affiliates of Kinder Morgan Inc. (KMI) permission to introduce feed gas, back-up fuel and boil-off gas at the Elba Island LNG Terminal near Savannah, GA. The Commission authorized Elba Liquefaction Co. LLC and Southern LNG Co. LLC to begin commissioning fuel and introducing hazardous fluids at the facility last month.

KMI said it expects to enter the first of 10 units at Elba Island into service in 1Q2019, with the remaining nine units to come online throughout the year.