
Press Release – Oil Change International and Rogue Climate
A new report released by Oil Change International details, for the first time, the full accounting of greenhouse gas emissions that would result from the proposed Jordan Cove LNG (liquid natural gas) Export terminal and Pacific Connector fracked gas pipeline projects in Oregon.
The new report finds that the projects would result in over 36.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year, some 15.4 times the emissions from Oregon’s last remaining coal-fired power plant, the Boardman Coal plant, which is set to be retired by the end of 2020 due to climate and air pollution concerns. When considering the in-state emissions alone, the projects would still be the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 2020.
The report also finds that exported fracked gas (or LNG) will not replace dirtier fossil fuel sources like coal in Asia. In addition, it concludes that even with conservative estimates for methane leakage, exported liquified natural gas does not result in lower emissions than coal plants on a full lifecycle basis. us, the report argues, the full 36.8 million metric tons of CO2e must be viewed as additional pollution.
Lorne Stockman, Senior Research Analyst with Oil Change International and the lead report author states, “The emissions associated with this project would dig a substantial hole, undermining Oregon’s efforts to lead on climate action.”
The report’s analysis finds that construction of the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal and Pacific Connector pipeline would make it impossible to achieve Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s goal to have Oregon’s climate reductions line-up with the targets of the Paris Accords, as well as the emission reduction goals enshrined by the Oregon legislature in 2007. The project’s in-state emissions would constitute an increasingly large percentage of the overall emissions in the state while providing no actual energy supply for the state and contributing to unsustainable global emissions, undermining climate action in other regions.
The report was released as hundreds rallied in Salem in January under the auspices of the No LNG Exports coalition, a collection of organizations and community groups opposed to the project. e project, previously rejected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), has encountered massive opposition along the pipeline route and terminal location in Coos Bay.
“Communities across Oregon and Northern California have been fighting this fracked gas project for over a decade. It’s time that [Oregon] Governor Brown stands with our communities and stops Jordan Cove for good by utilizing her role on the Oregon State Lands Board or by directing state agencies to deny vital permits for the project,” said Hannah Sohl, Director of Rogue Climate.
“Whether it’s snowless winters, more extreme wildfire seasons, or invasive pine beetles, rural communities are already seeing the first impacts of climate change,” said Deb Evans, a Klamath County landowner who’s small-scale timber property would face eminent domain if the proposed pipeline is approved. “ is project would exacerbate climate change adding to an overwhelmingly devastating and costly impact to livelihoods while also threatening private property rights. We can’t have that in Oregon, or anywhere else today if we want a sustainable economy and healthy climate for future generations.”
“This report shows that to take action on climate, Oregon’s leadership has no choice but to reject this dangerous project and instead focus on creating good-paying jobs in rural Oregon in the expanding clean energy industry,” Sohl added.
The report can be found here: http://priceofoil.org/2018/01/11/jordan-cove-lng-and-pacific-connector-pipeline-greenhouse-gas-emissions/
Sign the petition to Oregon’s governor and senators voicing your opposition to the projects at www.nolngexports.org/sign-the-petition/.
For more information on how you can get involved, contact Rogue Climate at info@rogueclimate.org.