This is the News

NorthernStar Natural Gas | January 27, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. – NorthernStar Natural Gas today expressed satisfaction with a ruling by the
Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) which upheld the County’s decision in 19 of 21 issues contained within the County’s official findings of approval of the company’s proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas import terminal near Astoria, Oregon. Although those findings were challenged by project opponents, LUBA upheld 90 percent of the County’s decision to approve Bradwood’s consolidated land use application.

LUBA also agreed with the County’s analysis in granting a variance to allow improvements to a
County road. In its opinion, LUBA provided clarity and direction on the information that would be needed for the County to ensure its previous approval complies with state land use rules.

“Today’s 50-page LUBA decision is well reasoned and supported by an exhaustive record comprising 10,000 pages of analysis and studies,” said NorthernStar Natural Gas Senior Vice President for External Relations Joe Desmond. “By siding with the County’s conclusions in nearly every instance, LUBA has reaffirmed that the County’s original approval was well founded and supported by the record. We are confident the remaining two items remanded by LUBA can be successfully resolved. Today’s decision moves our project closer to providing a much needed economic boost to Clatsop County and helping to stabilize the region’s long-term energy costs.”

On March 20, 2008, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners approved NorthernStar’s consolidated land use application on a 4-1 vote after a nine month public process. On April 15th, the Board approved a variance to the County’s code for upgrades to enhance the safety of the terminal access road for the public, including first responders, employees and local residents.

“In working with Clatsop County, we found ways to improve our project while enhancing safety and protecting the environment,” said Desmond. “Our site is already zoned for marine industrial development and has a 100 year history of use as a lumber mill and deep water export dock.”

The Bradwood Landing LNG terminal and its associated 36.3 mile pipeline would provide a new
source of affordable natural gas directly into the Oregon and Washington natural gas market. It would create more than 450 jobs over three years of construction and 65 permanent jobs while contributing more than $7.8 million annually in taxes to Clatsop County.

“Construction of the Bradwood terminal would put hundreds of people to work providing a new
source of natural gas to meet the region’s energy needs,” said Desmond. “While there’s no silver bullet to meet all of the region’s energy needs, clean-burning natural gas can provide a bridge to the renewable energy future we all want.”

A regional analysis of the effects of increased natural gas supply from a Columbia River LNG
terminal by University of Oregon economist Dr. Phil Romero, showed that Bradwood could reduce the wholesale cost of natural gas by 13 percent. Dr. Romero’s analysis showed this decrease in energy costs would help support the creation of between 5,100 and 20,300 jobs.

NorthernStar has committed to meet all applicable local, state and federal standards related to the construction and operation of its Bradwood terminal, which received a FERC certificate order on September 18, 2008.

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