COOS BAY, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P. (“Jordan Cove LNG”) and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, LP (“Pacific Connector”) have today received a draft Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”) from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). The draft EIS assesses the environmental impacts of the liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) terminal proposed by Jordan Cove LNG for Coos Bay, Oregon and the natural gas pipeline proposed by Pacific Connector that would extend 232 miles from Malin, Oregon to the terminal. Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector each filed an application with the FERC for approval to construct the LNG export terminal and the pipeline in May and June 2013, respectively.
Jordan Cove LNG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Veresen Inc. (“Veresen”), and Pacific Connector is owned equally by a subsidiary of Veresen and a subsidiary of The Williams Companies (“Williams”).
“Release of the draft EIS marks the completion of another important milestone in our project schedule,” said Don Althoff, President and CEO of Veresen. “Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector will continue to work with local, state and federal agencies, as well as the public, through the FERC review process. Veresen is committed to building the Jordan Cove LNG facilities, which will provide significant economic benefits to Oregon, while ensuring responsible development and environmental stewardship.”
“This is a great step forward,” said Allison Bridges, a Williams’ Senior Vice President – West. “Through the FERC review process, we have demonstrated that the projects will create important economic opportunities for Southern Oregon, while also preserving and protecting precious natural resources. We appreciate the thorough participation of all the interested parties in the environmental review of the projects.”
A draft EIS is intended to inform FERC decision-makers, the public, and permitting agencies about the potential adverse and beneficial environmental impacts of the proposed project and its alternatives, and recommend mitigation measures that would reduce adverse impacts to the extent practicable. The draft EIS is subject to further review and public comment before FERC issues a final EIS.
The draft EIS can be downloaded from the FERC website at:
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis.asp
About Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P.
Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P. is a subsidiary of Veresen, a diversified energy infrastructure company that owns and operates assets across North America. The project consists of a natural gas liquefaction and export facility and an adjacent 420 MW power generation plant dedicated to the export facility.
About Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline LP
Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline LP is a limited partnership between Williams Partners Operating LLC and Jordan Cove LNG L.P. Pacific Connector is a proposed 232-mile, 36-inch diameter interstate natural gas transmission system designed to transport up to 1,030,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas to Jordan Cove’s LNG export terminal.
About Veresen Inc. (TSX: VSN)
Veresen is a publicly-traded dividend paying corporation based in Calgary, Alberta, that owns and operates energy infrastructure assets across North America. Veresen is engaged in three principal businesses: a pipeline transportation business comprised of interests in three pipeline systems, the Alliance pipeline, the Ruby Pipeline and the Alberta Ethane Gathering System; a midstream business which includes ownership interests in a world-class natural gas liquids extraction facility near Chicago, the Hythe/Steeprock complex, and other natural gas and NGL processing energy infrastructure; and a power business with a portfolio of assets in Canada and the United States. Veresen is also actively developing a number of greenfield projects, including the Jordan Cove LNG terminal, a six million tonne per annum natural gas liquefaction facility proposed to be constructed in Coos Bay, Oregon, and the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. In the normal course of its business, Veresen regularly evaluates and pursues acquisition and development opportunities.
About Williams (NYSE:WMB)
Williams, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., is one of the leading energy infrastructure companies in North America. It owns controlling interests in both Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ) and Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ACMP). Northwest Pipeline LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams Partners L.P., is a 3,900-mile gas transmission system crossing the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. The bi-directional system provides access to British Columbia, Alberta, Rocky Mountain and San Juan Basin gas supplies.