Note: January 2020
DEQ has not received any complete permit applications. DEQ denied without prejudice the 401 Water Quality Certification on May 6, 2019. Jordan Cove may submit a new 401 Water Quality Certification application in early 2020.
Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P. proposes to construct a liquefied natural gas export facility on 500 acres of the North Spit across the Coos Bay from the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport. The approximately 229-mile, 36-inch diameter pipeline’s capacity would be up to one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Other elements of the project include construction of a marine terminal, widening of the navigation channel at four turns, a regional emergency response center, temporary workforce housing, and road and highway improvements. Roughly 100 acres will be set aside to offset habitat impacted by the project at the former Kentuck golf course in Coos County.
As proposed, the liquefied natural gas facility would begin operating mid-2020s. DEQ must evaluate the proposed project to ensure it complies with state and federal environmental laws during and after construction.
Permits information, applications and program documentation
Latest updates
December 2019
Since June 2019, DEQ has been meeting with Jordan Cove about the new 401 Water Quality Certification Application. Some of the topics we discussed include water body crossings pre- and post-construction evaluations, thermal mitigation plans, post construction stormwater plans, geohazards/geotechnical evaluations, horizontal directional drilling evaluation, roads construction and maintenance of pipeline corridor, dredge spoil placement, and land use compatibility statements from counties and cities.
Other authorizations
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Nov. 15, 2019, released a final environmental impact statement for the Jordan Cove project. The final environmental impact statement can be found on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission website under Jordan Cove Energy Project LP, docket number CP17-495-000, and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline LP, docket number CP17-494-000. DEQ uses the final environmental impact statement, which evaluates potential environmental effects, to identify project elements that should be found in a 401 Water Quality Certification application.
Next steps
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is expected early this year to either issue or deny a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Interstate Natural Gas Pipelines.
Port of Coos Bay's related project
The Port of Coos Bay proposes deepening the navigation channel in the bay to 45 feet and widening it to 450 feet. The deepening and widening would be from the ocean entrance to about river mile 8. The project would require the dredging and disposal of about 18 million cubic yards of sand and rock to a proposed ocean disposal site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead agency on this project. Separate from FERC, the corps is drafting an environmental impact statement for the Jordan Cove project. The corps anticipates releasing the draft environmental impact statement in March. The Port of Coos Bay is expected draft and submit an application to DEQ for a Section 401 Water Quality Certificate.