FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Brett VandenHeuvel, Director, Columbia Riverkeeper (503) 348-2436
Olivia Schmidt, Oregon Sierra Club (971) 533-2390


Bradwood Suspends LNG Project: LNG Opponents Declare Victory

Astoria, OR – A broad coalition of citizen groups celebrated today as NorthernStar Natural Gas suspended its attempt to build the Bradwood liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Columbia River, near Astoria, Oregon. Facing huge opposition from farm, fishing, forest, and environmental groups, Bradwood LNG’s announcement generated swift reaction from people throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Brett VandenHeuvel, executive director of Columbia Riverkeeper, explained the significance of the groups’ victory over the Bradwood LNG project. “LNG has no place in Oregon. This is a tremendous victory for family farmers, fisherman, and Columbia River salmon. This is proof that Oregonians will fight to protect our resources and our livelihoods.”

Farmers threatened by the proposed LNG pipelines rejoiced after hearing that Bradwood LNG had suspended its project. “Thousands of us have been living under a cloud of having our farms condemned for these wrong-headed LNG schemes. We look forward to being able to work our lands without interference from LNG speculators,” said Steve Wick, a Yamhill County filbert grower.

George Exum, a resident of Puget Island, WA who lives within a mile of the suspended Bradwood project, lauded the hard work and cooperation of Oregon and Washington residents in protecting their community from Texas-based NorthernStar. “All the efforts of citizens in Washington and Oregon who saw the economic and environmental harm threatened by Bradwood Landing LNG have paid off. This is a great victory for the Columbia River and the communities who rely on it for their livelihoods.”

Olivia Schmidt, organizer for Oregon Sierra Club, welcomed the decision as a victory for clean energy in Oregon. “By rejecting Bradwood LNG, Oregonians have rejected increasing their dependence on a destructive, expensive, imported fossil fuel. At the same time, we have protected Oregon’s water, air quality, and communities.”

Bradwood Landing LNG faced legal challenges by the states of Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce Tribe, Columbia Riverkeeper, Columbia River Business Alliance, Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, Bark, and others.

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