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PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. Coast Guard today issued a Letter of Recommendation and Record of Decision for the Bradwood Landing LNG Terminal to the Federal Energy Regulatory commission (FERC). The documents convey the Coast Guard's determination on the suitability of the Columbia River for LNG marine traffic as it relates to safety and security.

In its February 2007 release of the Waterway Suitability Report for Bradwood Landing, the Coast Guard determined that with improvements to navigation, safety and security the Columbia River is suitable for LNG carriers. In the report, the Coast Guard established a 500 yard safety/security zone that travels with the LNG carrier which is consistent with how cruise ships are currently treated. Additionally, the Coast Guard stated that their expectation was to routinely allow other vessels to transit through the safety/security zone and to allow other deep draft ships to meet LNG carriers in portions of the river that are currently used for these
situations.

In its record of decision dated April 24, 2009, Captain F. G. Myer, the Captain of the Port, Coast Guard Sector Portland, said the Columbia River could be made suitable for the LNG marine traffic associated with the proposed waterway provided full implementation of the risk mitigation measures detailed in the Waterway Suitability Report are accomplished. Those measures were included as conditions when FERC issued its Certificate Order for the Bradwood Landing LNG terminal in September 2008.

NorthernStar Natural Gas has previously welcomed the Coast Guard’s recommendations and stated its intent to comply with them and pay for all associated costs of their implementation. “The Coast Guard’s decision acknowledges the outstanding safety record of LNG carriers while recommending enhancements to navigation, safety and security that we whole-heartily endorse,” said NorthernStar Natural Gas CEO William “Si” Garrett. “Their decision also confirms our expectation that LNG vessels will have no greater impact on traffic as other deep draft vessels that navigate the river today.”

“The improvements to navigation and safety in particular that we will make will be of great benefit to all Columbia River users,” said Mr. Garrett. “We look forward to working with the Coast Guard and other stakeholders to ensure the recommendations are successfully implemented.”

Bradwood Landing’s coalition of supporters includes the Oregon AFL-CIO, the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council, the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Oregon Machinists Council, the Washington Machinists Council, Carpenters Local 1707 and the International Longshore Workers’ Union (Columbia River Oregon Area), the Columbia River Steamship Operators Association, and more than 2,500 citizens which have sent letters or cards of support to FERC, Clatsop County and the Governor.

The Bradwood Landing LNG terminal and its associated 36.3 mile pipeline would provide a new source of 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.

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.

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