PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Rep. Peter DeFazio has introduced a bill that would make it harder for developers to build a pipeline across southwestern Oregon for natural gas exports. But he says the prospects for passage are slim.
The Oregonian reports (http://bit.ly/z1RpdK) that the Oregon Democrat wants to take away the power of eminent domain for assembling the pipeline right of way.
The Jordan Cove LNG terminal in Coos Bay and the Pacific Connector pipeline were originally approved by federal regulators to import natural gas, and send it to California. Falling prices from the development of shale gas led Jordan Cove to ask regulators to approve it as an export facility instead.
DeFazio says the pipeline fails the eminent domain test of serving the public good, because gas exports would raise U.S. prices.
