Since my first post on this rally a week ago, organizers have sent me some new information about what will take place today.
First, a quick recap.
Volunteers displaying the pipeline puppet at PSU's Saturday Market. Photo from Hey! NW Natural.
Anti-LNG groups in Oregon are holding what could be a huge rally this afternoon outside the annual shareholders meeting for NW Natural Gas. They want the utility to cancel plans for the Palomar pipeline. They see blocking Palomar as the key to stopping all LNG development in Northwest Oregon.
The meeting and rally are taking place at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 MLK Blvd. in Portland.
The rally starts at 1:00pm and runs until 4:00pm.
The new information includes this list of highlights:
- 1:30pm – Landowners who live along the proposed pipeline route will speak.
- 2:30pm – Former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury and State Representative Chuck Riley will speak.
- Organizers are also putting on something called Pipeline Puppet Theatre. It was explained to me, but I’m still not sure what will happen. I guess you’ll have to see it if you want to know what it’s all about.
Some of the flags that will be displayed at today's rally. Photo from Hey! NW Natural.
The Future of Palomar
The future of the Palomar pipeline became a big question after the demise of the Bradwood landing LNG project. Palomar was supposed to connect with Bradwood and carry the gas 220-miles through the Willamette Valley, the Mt. Hood National Forest and over the Cascades.
But with Bradwood out of the picture, NW Natural says it may build just half of the pipeline. This smaller route would run from Maupin to Molalla to bring in domestic supplies of natural gas from the Rocky Mountain states. It would still cross the Cascades and cut a 47-mile long path of clear cut through the Mt. Hood National Forest.
Another option might be changing the route of the western segment of Palomar. Instead of connecting to Bradwood, NW Natural may want to considering connecting it with the proposed Oregon LNG terminal that developers want to build along the Columbia River near Warrenton. Depending on how this scenario played out, it could make the Palomar pipeline even longer.
Either Way, Environmentalists Are Opposed
Should NW Natural go ahead with just the Maupin to Molalla segment, it’s in a stronger position because the purpose would be to bring in more domestic natural gas into the Willamette Valley. That’s politically safer than trying to import foreign LNG.
But environmental groups are against it because of the impact on the Mt. Hood National Forest. They say the plan threatens old growth areas, wildlife habitat and crosses some ecologically important rivers and streams.
Should NW Natural stick with plans to build a western segment for LNG supplies, then it renews conflicts with farmers, vineyard and orchard owners in the Willamette Valley. They’re worried about the environmental and safety impacts of the pipeline, as well as how it would limit their ability to grow certain crops.
