Know Your Rights!

LNG Companies Target Private Land: Know Your Rights and Fight Back!

Oregon LNG plans to build over 120 miles of high-pressure gas pipeline to connect its proposed LNG terminal along the Columbia River to an interconnect in Molalla. If successful, Oregon LNG can use the power of eminent domain to bulldoze private property and build the pipeline without landowners' permission

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Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Think Again.

If built, LNG pipelines will restrict how private property owners can use their land. For example, Oregon LNG will limit your ability to use the area of the pipeline right-of-way to plant trees, build structures, and store vehicles or flammable materials. You will likely need to get written permission from Oregon LNG before conducting activities such as paving, installing fences, and raising certain crops. Aside from restricting uses, pipelines threaten public safety and property. As the recent San Bruno, CA pipeline explosion demonstrates, even with modern safety rules and inspections, disasters can happen.

The LNG Reality: Sacrificing Public Safety, Productive Land for LNG Export

As reported in the Oregonian , many LNG companies recently admitted that they intend to build pipelines to export U.S. gas to foreign nations. In fact, Oregon LNG's investors admitted that export is on the table for its proposed Columbia River terminal. This is a game changer for LNG in the Pacific Northwest. A recent federal report showed that just one LNG export terminal could increase U.S. natural gas prices by 10%. The new revelations on the real intention to export U.S. gas contradict Oregon LNG's promises to help American consumers. As Paul Cicio, president of the Industrial Energy Consumers of America explained to the Oregonian "In the end, it's going to be every homeowner, every farmer buying fertilizer, and every manufacturer trying to create jobs who is going to be hurt by this [LNG export]."

The reality of exports also explains why Oregon LNG and other companies continue to invest millions of dollars in LNG terminals when the U.S. does not need overseas gas. Oregon LNG will continue to push for a pipeline on your land because of the tremendous profits at stake. Profits for them, not you. Our fight to protect farms, forests, and fish from LNG is far from over. In fact, the export push makes our efforts even more critical.

 

Fast Track Bill Not the End of the Story

Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature passed a bill to allow fill permits for LNG pipelines on private land without landowners' permission. This will accelerate pipeline permits-but it's only part of the story. Landowners can stand up to Oregon LNG's attempts to condemn private property. History shows that we can defeat multi-million dollar LNG projects like Bradwood LNG.

Know Your Rights

Is your property in the path of Oregon LNG's pipeline? If so, you have options. While it's true that corporations can obtain the right to condemn private land -known as the power of eminent domain-Oregon LNG does not have this privilege yet. In the mean time, Oregon LNG will attempt to negotiate agreements with landowners for permission, known as an easement, to build a pipeline on their land. Oregon LNG may also ask for landowners' consent to access private land for surveys and sampling

Here is what landowners can do:

  • You have the Right to DENY Oregon LNG Access to Your Land for Sampling/Surveying. Oregon LNG cannot enter private property without first attempting to notify the landowner. Under state law, landowners can object to LNG companies surveying or examining their land. If a landowner objects, Oregon LNG must obtain a court order and possibly compensate the landowner for damaging or interfering with private property. Talk to a lawyer to learn more about your options.
  • You have the Right to REVOKE Old Approvals for Oregon LNG to Enter Your Land. If you already authorized Oregon LNG to enter your land, you can revoke this approval. This process will differ depending on the specifics of your agreement with Oregon LNG. Ask a lawyer for advice on how to navigate the process.
  • You have the Right to Say NO to a Negotiated Easement. Short of condemning private property, Oregon LNG may try to negotiate private contracts with landowners for permission to use their land for the LNG pipeline. Landowners have the right to outright deny these requests.
  • You have the Right to RESIST Condemnation. Once Oregon LNG obtains a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval, Oregon LNG will attempt to use the power of eminent domain to condemn private property-regardless of whether the pipeline is for gas import or export. There are various options for landowners to resist the condemnation process, or recover more money for their property. We are working today, however, to prevent Oregon LNG from obtaining its FERC license to make sure the condemnation day never comes.

LNG companies expect landowners to roll out the welcome mat in exchange for the promise of minimal payments and the long-term threats of a high-pressure gas pipeline. They came to the wrong state. Oregonians will not give up without a fight.

To learn more about the how pipeline corporations can take private property, visit: http://www.nocaliforniapipeline.com/stopeminentdomain.php

 

Together, we can stop LNG!

Riverkeeper worked closely with citizens and landowners in Oregon and Washington to defeat the Bradwood LNG terminal and pipeline. As a result, hundreds of miles of pipelines, including the Palomar Pipeline were never built. Now is the time to complete our work to protect farms, forests, and salmon from the destructive path of the Oregon LNG pipelines and terminal.

Like Bradwood, Oregon LNG is vulnerable to strong public opposition and the steep costs of siting a mega-LNG terminal in the Columbia River Estuary. Our track record working with effected communities demonstrates that, with perseverance, we can close the books on Columbia River LNG terminals. Please support our team of scientists, policy analysts, and lawyers by donating to Columbia Riverkeeper today.

 

**The information on this website is not legal advice. This is intended for general information purposes only, and not legal advice. Legal advice depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual's situation. Those seeking specific legal advice or assistance should contact an attorney. Using Riverkeeper's website or attending a forum does not establish an attorney-client relationship.