In March, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, gave a provisional go-ahead to the proposed pipeline and liquefied natural gas export terminal in southwest Oregon. Pembina – the Canadian corporation which wants to build the project – can’t begin construction until it gets several other permits.
But Deb Evans and other landowners whose property is in the path of the proposed pipeline fear Pembina could use eminent domain to take their property while legal challenges to the project await court action.
"Part of our hope is to create a more level playing field so that landowners don’t just get run over by these private corporations with deep pockets," Evans says.
The landowners are asking the D.C Circuit Court to reverse FERC’s approval of the project, saying the order is legally deficient.
Failing that, they want the court to pause the project until the legal challenges are resolved.
Earlier this week, the federal Department of Energy announced it had authorized Jordan Cove to export liquified natural gas. But the project still lacks several key permits and each of those steps is being vigorously challenged in court.
Jordan Cove representatives declined to comment on the landowners’ suit, but said in a statement that Pembina is "pleased" to receive the DOE export authorization.