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PORTLAND, Ore. – By a 4-1 vote today,
the Clatsop County Commission re-affirmed its approval
of the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas terminal
near Astoria. The Commission approved findings which reflect
their December 13, 2007 vote on land use changes sought
by NorthernStar Natural Gas and the County’s conditions
for approval.
Bradwood Landing developer NorthernStar Natural Gas also proposed – and
the commissioners accepted – a contract with the county memorializing the
company’s
commitment to abide by the county’s conditions of approval and not to appeal
those conditions to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. NorthernStar
is seeking to build an LNG import terminal at Bradwood, 18 miles east of Astoria
on property that was a lumber mill and deep water export dock for more than
one hundred years.
“We’re pleased the County affirmed its earlier decision
which will allow our project to proceed,” said NorthernStar Natural Gas
CEO William “Si” Garrett. “Throughout
our interaction with the Clatsop County Commission, we have found ways to
improve our project while enhancing safety and protection of the environment.
Our terminal will only use about 50 acres of more than 400 that we are acquiring
and most of the site is being maintained as a natural conservation area. Our
site is already zoned for marine industrial development and has a one hundred
year history of industrial use as a logging and saw mill.”
“Throughout the Land Use Compatibility Statement process,
we have steadfastly committed to surpass all state and federal requirements
with respect to safety and the responsible conservation of the environment.
We have and will continue to faithfully abide by all of the commitments that
we have made and we will honor our pledge not to appeal the County’s conditions
to FERC”, Garrett said.
Among the commitments that NorthernStar has made to Clatsop County
is a commitment to pay full County property taxes, estimated at more than
$7.8 million per year after construction, and not seek inclusion of its facility
in an enterprise zone. This will make the Bradwood Landing terminal the largest
taxpayer in the County by a factor of three.
Conditions of approval imposed by Clatsop County include:
- Ensure that Clifton Channel remain accessible for fishing
- Limit of two LNG storage tanks
- Improve the condition and safety of Clifton Rd. (access road to the site
from Hwy. 30)
- Obtain permits from the County to conduct wetlands mitigation projects
- Set aside funds to pay for the eventual decommissioning of the project
and restoration of the site
- Comply with the County’s recommendations regarding public safety
before terminal operations
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