A business-labor coalition told an Oregon legislative committee Thursday it opposes a bill (HB 2015), which it alleges would prevent development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the state. Energy Action Northwest said it is fighting for “responsible energy policy.”

The coalition submitted its statement from Executive Director Edward Finklea to the state House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee, criticizing HB 2015 because the group claims it would “create unnecessary hurdles” for the development of the terminal. In Oregon there are now three active proposals for building such a facility and related natural gas pipeline infrastructure.

“Current federal and Oregon state laws already require that LNG terminals meet all necessary environmental standards, protect fisheries and safeguard Oregon’s air and water quality,” Finklea said. “Our coalition urges you to vote against HB 2015.”

Finklea contends that Oregon already has a substantial role in the LNG permitting process that is exercised by the Department of Environmental Quality and through Coastal Zone Management permits. And he said HB 2015 would put the Oregon Department of Energy in the position of attempting to usurp the role of the federal government in certifying LNG terminals.

“The proposed bill would set the state of Oregon on a long and litigious path that would likely result in the courts ruling that federal law preempts the new state requirements,” Finklea said.

Finklea argued that HB 2015 would delay badly needed energy infrastructure for the Pacific Northwest at a critical time of economic turmoil in which private investment is “sorely needed” in the region and Oregon’s unemployment rate has reached an “historic high” of 12.1%.

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