FERC dealt a blow this week to the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal by denying a petition filed last year by the sponsors to waive Oregon’s regulatory authority.

Jordan Cove Energy Project LP and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline LP had argued that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) far exceeded its one-year statutory timeframe required to review and issue a water quality certification (WQC) under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found that Jordan Cove never properly requested the review. ODEQ denied Jordan Cove’s application in May 2019 for failing to meet state standards, more than six months beyond the statutory deadline. The WQC denied by Oregon related only to the U.S....