US FERC gives environmental approval for Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector projects

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the US has issued a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the projects proposed by Jordan Cove Energy Project and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline.

FERC approved the proposal from the Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal at Coos Bay, Oregon and a 232-mile natural gas pipeline from Malin, Oregon to the LNG terminal during May and June 2013, respectively.

Jordan Cove LNG president and CEO Elizabeth Spomer said: "Receipt of our final EIS demonstrates our strong progress on the permitting front and paves the way for Jordan Cove LNG to be the first LNG export facility to be built on the west coast.

"This regulatory milestone will be viewed as great news by our target customers."

Following FERC’s notice of schedule a final order and certificates will be issued for Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector on or before 29 December 2015.

Upon receiving a FERC ‘Notice to Proceed’ in mid-2016, Veresen expects to plan a final investment decision.

Veresen’s wholly-owned subsidiary Jordan Cove requests authorisation to produce a maximum of 6.8 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) a year at the terminal.

Pacific Connector seeks a certificate of public convenience and necessity to transport about 1.07 billion ft³ per day of natural gas in a pipeline from the Malin hub to the Jordan Cove terminal.

At the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal, facilities would include an access channel, a marine slip, a barge berth, a loading platform, and a transfer pipeline, among others.

The Pacific Connector facilities would comprise the 232-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter pipeline between Malin and Coos Bay; the 41,000 horsepower Klamath Compressor Station; the Klamath-Eagle Receipt Meter Station and Klamath-Beaver Receipt Meter Station, etc.

Construction and operation of the projects is expected to result in some limited adverse environmental impacts, which would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with the implementation of the applicants’ proposed mitigation measures, FERC concluded.

Pacific Connector is owned equally by a subsidiary of Veresen and a subsidiary of The Williams Companies.