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Proposed pipeline could skirt St. Paul |
By Amanda
Newman, Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail Amanda at anewman@eaglenewspapers.com |
Palomar Gas Transmission
LLC announced plans Monday to build a natural gas pipeline extending
approximately 220 miles across much of Oregon.
The proposed pipeline would cross Yamhill and Marion counties,
coming within three miles of St. Paul, according to Palomar
spokesman David Dodson.
Palomar Gas Transmission is a recently-formed partnership between
Northwest Natural Gas Company and the TransCanada Corporation
subsidiary Gas Transmission Northwest.
The project is in the early stages of the permit process, which the
company hopes to complete in 2009, said project manager Henry Morse
Jr. The following two years would be spent obtaining rights-of-way
and doing construction, with a projected service start date in late
2011.
The pipeline, made up of two sections, would connect TransCanada’s
existing Gas Transmission Northwest System (which would operate the
pipeline) in central Oregon with NW Natural’s distribution system
near Molalla.
The Palomar project is designed to enable connection to
NorthernStar LLC’s proposed Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas
terminal on the Columbia River, should the terminal be constructed.
The proposed pipeline route connecting to the Bradwood Landing
terminal would travel east of Yamhill and Carlton; west of
Lafayette; and south of Dayton, St. Paul and Woodburn.
Final approval for the project, as well as the final pipeline
route, will be determined by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, which regulates the interstate transmission of
electricity, natural gas and oil.
“The exact route is far from decided,” Morse said. “But we
generally try to avoid cities and densely populated areas.”
Morse said the pipeline would be an economic boon for the areas it
travels through.
“During construction, there will be construction workers there who
will spend money in the area,” he said. “In rural areas, the only
lasting effect will be the property taxes we will pay — the
pipelines are underground, you won’t even know they’re there.”
After the final route has been determined, Morse explained, Palomar
will negotiate with landowners to reach agreements regarding
compensation for easements and, in come cases, property.
“There is very little property that the pipeline needs to own,” he
said. “And 99-plus percent of the time we reach an amicable
agreement.”
“(On past projects), we’ve worked carefully with landowners ... to
provide mutual accommodation. Some are quite pleased with the taxes
we pay; some are not pleased with the pipeline that crosses their
property.”
Morse said that once the pipeline has been installed, property
owners can continue to farm the area. However, a permanent structure
cannot be constructed over the pipeline.
He said that the pipeline “rarely” decreases property values in the
area, adding, “Studies show no noticeable impact.”
Morse explained that the overall benefit of the pipeline, which
could service customers throughout Oregon and the western United
States, would be improved service and reliability for the customers,
who would benefit from increased competition in the area.
LNG pipeline in the works
The Palomar project is already competing, as Oregon LNG moves
forward with a natural gas pipeline proposal of its own.
Oregon LNG’s 117-mile proposed pipeline would run from a planned
terminal near Astoria on the Columbia River (about 25 miles from the
proposed Bradwood Landing terminal) to an existing main line near
Molalla. The path through Yamhill and Marion counties is similar to
that proposed by the Palomar project.
“It’s conceivable, but not likely, that both (pipelines) will be built,”
Morse said. “Which LNG (liquid natural gas) terminal goes forward
may determine which pipeline is built.”
The Oregon LNG Project received approval June 19 from the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission to begin the pre-filing process.
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Published
Aug. 11, 2007, Newberg Graphic
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