The Regulatory Process
A rigorous regulatory process is applied to the review and approval of LNG facilities and interstate natural gas pipelines. Once approved, both remain subject to stringent federal and state regulations and permit conditions.
The numerous federal, state and local regulations with which Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector must comply are designed to mitigate potential impacts to fish, wildlife and the environment, along with assuring the safe operation of the LNG Terminal and Pipeline. Most of the permits issued for both the LNG Terminal and the Pipeline provide for public review and comment prior to issuance, thereby providing the public with a platform to voice concerns at each step of the process.
Below is a partial list of some of the federal and state agencies that will issue permits or review the Project.
Jordan Cove values the communities in Southern Oregon and strives to be a good neighbor contributing to ensure the vitality of Southern Oregon and its way of life.
Federal, state and local agencies with permitting or review obligations:
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the lead federal agency charged with the review of Jordan Cove’s and Pacific Connector’s applications under the Natural Gas Act (NGA).
To comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), FERC will prepare an environmental impact statement that will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the Project. This document will be used by FERC and other federal agencies as part of their review of the Project.
| Applicant Process | FERC Process |
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1: Applicant submits request to FERC to conduct review of the project within the FERC's Pre-Filing Process. January 23, 2017 |
1: FERC formally approves Pre-Filing Process, issues PF Docket number to Applicant, and begins project review. February 10, 2017, assigned Docket No. PF17-4 |
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2: Applicant holds open houses to provide project information.
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2: FERC participates in Applicant’s open houses. 3: FERC issues Notice of Intent for Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA). Opens scoping period to seek public comments on the project. 4: FERC holds scoping meetings and site visits in the project area. Consults with interested agencies. FERC Scoping Dates:
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3: Applicant files formal application with FERC. September 21, 2017 Project information can be found by entering PCGP’s Pipeline docket number: CP17-494 and JCEP’s LNG Terminal docket number: CP17-495, into the FERC’s e-library located online at: https://elibrary.ferc.gov |
5: FERC receives formal application from Applicant and assigns new docket numbers.
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6: On Friday, August 31, 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) published the Notice of Schedule for Jordan Cove LNG and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. 7: FERC issues Preliminary Draft EIS to cooperating agencies for review. 8: FERC issues Draft EIS and opens public comment period. 9: FERC holds meeting(s) in the project area to hear public comments on the Draft EIS. 10: FERC responds to comments and revises the Draft EIS. 11: FERC issues Final EIS. 12: FERC approves or denies the project. |
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4: If the project is approved, Applicant may construct and operate the project, only after obtaining applicable permits, including Clean Water Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, and Clean Air Act permits. |
NEPA Process
Upon receipt of an application, FERC initiates review of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process is highly transparent with significant opportunity for public comment and results in both a draft Environmental Impact Statement and final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prior to FERC issuing a final decision on the application. The DEIS analyzes the potential impacts of the project using information provided by the applicant in the environmental reports. This information includes a detailed description of the proposed project, a statement of need for the project, detailed maps, permitting tables and schedules, along with environmental information. Upon issuance of the final EIS, FERC renders a decision on the applications.
Permitting Process
Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector must also obtain permits or authorizations from other federal and state agencies. The following table lists the major permits that must be obtained and the current status of those permits.
Jordan Cove and Pacific Connector filed applications with FERC on September 21, 2017. Paper and electronic copies of the application can be found in the following public libraries:
| County | Location |
|---|---|
| Coos | Coos County Public Library
525 Anderson Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420 (541) 269-1101 |
| Douglas | Winston Library
440 SE Grape Ave, Winston, OR 97496 (541) 679-5501 |
| Jackson | Jackson County Library Services Central Library
205 S Central Avenue, Medford, OR 97501 (541) 774-8689 |
| Klamath | Klamath County Library
126 South Third Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 (541) 882-8891 |
Information submitted to FERC for the Jordan Cove Energy Project (JCEP) can be accessed on FERC’s website through its e-library under the docket number: CP17-495 or you can view JCEP resource reports below.
Documents submitted during the pre-filing process to FERC for JCEP can be found here.
Application
Resource Report 1
Resource Report 2
Resource Report 3
Resource Report 4
Resource Report 5
Resource Report 6
Resource Report 7
Resource Report 8
Land Use, Recreation and Aesthetics
Resource Report 9
Air and Noise Quality + Appendix A
Resource Report 10
Resource Report 11
Resource Report 12
Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Contamination
Resource Report 13
Engineering and Design Material 1 of 7
Engineering and Design Material 2 of 7
Engineering and Design Material 3a of 7
Engineering and Design Material 3b of 7
Engineering and Design Material 4 of 7
Engineering and Design Material 5 of 7
These documents will be updated as the Project moves through the filing process (where appropriate).
Information submitted to FERC for the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline (PCGP) can be accessed on FERC’s website through its e-library under the docket number: CP17-494 or you can view PCGP resource reports below.
Documents submitted during the pre-filing precess to FERC for PCGP can be found here.
Application
Resource Report 1
Resource Report 2
Water Use and Quality + Appendix A.2–F.2
Resource Report 3
Resource Report 4
Resource Report 5
Resource Report 6
Geological Resources + Appendix A.6 – Part 1
Resource Report 7
Resource Report 8
Land Use, Recreation and Aesthetics + Appendix A.8–C.8
Resource Report 9
Resource Report 10
Resource Report 11
These documents will be updated as the Project moves through the filing process (where appropriate).
FERC will prepare an EIS using information included in the Certificate Application, supplemental information that may be provided by the company upon request, information assembled by FERC staff, as well as information provided by state and federal agencies and the public. The evaluation will describe the proposed Project and alternatives, identify existing environmental conditions and potential impacts from the Project and make recommendations and requirements to mitigate impacts.