The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, authorized the Calgary-based Pembina company in March 2020 to begin building the Jordan Cove Energy Project. The project would consist mainly of a liquified natural gas export terminal in Coos Bay, on Oregon's south coast, supplied by a 229-mile-long pipeline starting in Malin, on the California border in Klamath County. The authorization order was contingent on Jordan Cove getting key permits from the state.
After failing to get those permits -- and losing subsequent legal challenges to those denials -- Jordan Cove officials last May said they were “pausing” the project to consider their options. Affected landowners, tribes, environmentalists and Oregon state officials asked FERC to reverse -- or at least put on hold -- Jordan Cove’s authorization. Landowners, in particular, are worried the company could use the eminent domain powers that came with the FERC authorization, even if the project ultimately doesn't get built.
Now, FERC wants all parties to submit updated information while it reconsiders. Given the project’s lack of essential state permits, FERC specifically asks Pembina to “clarify” how it intends to move forward.
The parties have until December 15th to submit briefs.
