LNG would increase global warming and undermine renewable development
Even just one of the proposed LNG terminals would have the global warming impact of adding over 5 million cars to Oregon's roads.
Additionally, because of the high energy cost of liquefying, transporting and re-gasifying LNG, LNG has up to 30% higher greenhouse gas impact than domestic natural gas and an impact that is almost as high as newer coal technology.
Promoters of LNG have argues that LNG is a cleaner energy option than other fossil fuels. However, recent studies show that LNG will increase greenhouse gas emissions from Oregon. Oregon Department of Energy concluded, in May 2008, that LNG is much more greenhouse-gas intensie than domestic natural gas, finding: "LNG was equivalent to coal in greenhouse gas emissions when shipped over long distances (e.g. between the Atlantic and Pacific basins)." ODOE Executive Summary, LNG Report to the Governor.
Additionally, bringing in supplies of LNG and Rockies gas a the same time would deter conservation and investment renewables. Because electrical power generation is the main use driving even the small increase in gas demand in the Northwest, wind, solar, wave, and biomass all present potential alternatives to increased gas imports. In the case of some of these technologies, such as solar, installation can be justified despite generally higher short-term prices because solar power production is strongest during summer peak periods. LNG would directly compete with solar and other alternatives as a way to meet peak demands.
