The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission turned down a request Friday for a rehearing of its denial of a natural gas pipeline through Oregon.
The 232-mile, 3-foot diameter Pacific Connector pipeline would have crossed through southwestern Oregon carrying natural gas to a processing plant north of Coos Bay for export overseas. It would have gone through 157 miles of privately owned land, impacting 630 landowners.
In a March denial, FERC found little evidence to support a need for the pipeline and said any public benefits were outweighed by negative impacts to landowners along its route.
Many property owners have opposed plans to use their land for the pipeline, while environmental groups have raised concerns the project could contaminate waterways – including the Rogue River – and contribute to climate change.
“Landowners for over 10 years have been under the threat of eminent domain, first from a proposal for an import project and then this export project,” said Shady Cove resident Bob Barker, who owns land that would have been crossed by the pipeline. “There’s been no documented public need or benefit. It’s Canadian gas exported for private gain.”
