Programs

Skip Navigation LinksDepartment of Environmental Quality / Programs / Jordan Cove Energy Project

Jordan Cove Energy Project

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 facility would have the capacity to export up to 7.8 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas per year. Pembina, the parent company and applicant, also proposes to build a natural gas pipeline called the Pacific Connector between the Jordan Cove facility and Malin in Klamath County. The approximately 230-mile, 36-inch diameter pipeline’s capacity would be up to one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. 

 
Background
​
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 is 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 in 2024. DEQ must evaluate the proposed project to ensure it complies with state and federal environmental laws during and after construction.
 

Latest updates

July 2018

DEQ  has extended by 30 days the public comment period on an application from the Jordan Cove Energy Project. DEQ received a large number of public requests for an extension.
 
DEQ’s public comment period on the Section 401 Water Quality Certification application was originally set to close on July 21, 2018. It will now close on Aug. 20, 2018.
 
Written comments on the application related to water quality must be received at DEQ by 5 p.m. on Aug. 20. Written comments may be emailed to JCEP401PublicComment@deq.state.or.us, faxed to 541-686-7551 or mailed to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, 165 E. 7th Ave, Suite 100, Eugene, Oregon 97401, Attn:  401 Water Quality Certification Project Manager, Chris Stine.
 
View the full public notice in the documents section below.
 

Previous updates

 
May 2018

​

On May 22, DEQ and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened a 60-day comment period on a Section 401 Water Quality Certification application from the Jordan Cove Energy Project.


The comment period will close at 5 p.m. on July 22, 2018. Update: DEQ will now accept comments through Aug. 20.

The certification is required through DEQ for any federally licensed or permitted projects that may result in a discharge into navigable waters. Specifically, the certification ensures that work permitted under a federal Clean Water Act Section 404 Dredge/Fill Permit will meet the state’s water quality standards. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues the Section 404 Dredge/Fill Permit.
 
DEQ will review and consider all comments on the application received during the public comment period. Following this review, DEQ may request additional information from the applicant. DEQ will use the application material to develop an evaluation findings report and draft certification decision. DEQ may issue the draft certification decision on the project as proposed, issue the certification with conditions, or deny the certification.
 
Once a draft certification decision is developed, DEQ will conduct an additional public comment period, during which the public will have an opportunity to provide comments prior to the draft decision documents – evaluation findings report and certification.

Written comments on the application related to water quality must be received at DEQ by 5 p.m. on July 22, 2018.
 
Written comments may be emailed to JCEP401PublicComment@deq.state.or.us, faxed to 541-686-7551 or mailed to
 
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,
165 E. 7th Ave, Suite 100, 
Eugene, Oregon 97401, 
Attn:  401 Water Quality Certification Project Manager, Chris Stine.
You may also view documents or download documents to your electronic device at one of DEQ’s offices below. While not required, scheduling an appointment will ensure that water quality documents are readily accessible during your visit. To schedule an appointment please call one of the offices listed below.
 
  • Northwest Regional Office - 700 NE Multnomah St, Suite 600 Portland, OR  97232-4100
    • Phone Number: 503-229-5263; Toll free in Oregon: 800-452-4011
  • Eugene Office – 165 E. 7th Ave., Suite 100, Eugene, OR 97401
    • Phone Number: 541-686-7838; Toll free in Oregon: 800- 844-8467
  • Coos Bay Office - 381 N Second St., Coos Bay, OR 97420
    • Phone Number: 541-269-2721, ext. 0
  • Medford Office - 221 Stewart Ave., Suite 201, Medford, OR 97501
    • Phone Number: 541-776-6010; Toll free in Oregon: 877-823-3216
  • Salem Office - 4026 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, OR 97302
    • Phone Number: 503-378-8240; Toll free in Oregon: 800-349-7677
The applicant has placed documents in public libraries at the following locations:
  • Coos Bay Public Library (Coos County) - 525 Anderson Ave. CB, OR 97420
  • Sutherlin Library (Douglas County) – 210 E Centrall Street, Sutherlin, OR 97479
  • Winston Library (Douglas County) – 440 SE Grape Ave, Winston, OR 97496
  • Jackson County Library Service (Jackson County) – 205 South Central Ave, Medford, OR 97507
  • Klamath County Library Service (Klamath County) – 126 South Third Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
February 2018
​
Soil and groundwater samples are being collected on the North Spit of Coos Bay to determine the extent of historical contamination. The site, where Jordan Cove plans to build its safety center and office building, is a former Weyerhaeuser Corporation Mill Site referred to as the South Dunes site. Jordan Cove plans to use the information to help them determine whether additional cleanup is needed before the site is developed.
 
Approximately 94 borings will be drilled to collect soil and groundwater samples. The field work began on Jan. 29, 2018 and is expected to take about three weeks. The report with the sample results will be completed by late spring.
 
Soil and groundwater samples may be analyzed for diesel and gasoline, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls and metals.
 
A number of environmental studies have already taken place at the site. In 2006, DEQ issued a conditional no further action determination to restrict future use of the site to industrial uses. The site is listed in DEQ’s Environmental Contamination Site Investigation database under the Site Identification No. 1083.
 
A copy of the South Dunes Site Investigation Work Plan and Site-Specific Safety Plan is in the Documents section below. DEQ is awaiting the report on the sample results for the soil and groundwater investigation.
October 2017
​
Jordan Cove submitted a Joint Permit Application to the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and DEQ that describes potential environmental impacts associated with the project including dredging, filling in wetlands, excavating, drilling and stabilizing soil to prevent ground movement during earthquakes, and managing post construction stormwater runoff.
The Corps and DEQ will hold a 60-day public comment period on the application once the Corps deems the application complete.
 
More information on DEQ’s role in the removal/fill process, known officially as a 401 Water Quality Certification, is in the permits section below.
 
DEQ has received air contaminant discharge permit applications for the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas facility on the North Spit in Coos County, and for the Pacific Connector compressor station near Malin in Klamath County.

Permits

DEQ expects to receive a number of additional permit applications from Jordan Cove in the next year or two that will involve various aspects of the project from construction to wastewater management, and landfill closures on the North Spit of Coos Bay. As part of the permit review process, DEQ will hold public comment periods and in many cases informational meetings and public hearings.

The status of those permit applications is below. Check this page for regular updates throughout the permit review process. Information on the public involvement process for each permit is included in the chart called DEQ Estimated Permits Schedule in the Documents section below.
 

Permit applications

401 Water Quality Certification

​The Section 401 Water Quality Certification program reviews and evaluates water quality impacts of projects that require a federal permit or license to conduct any activity that may result in a discharge (including dredge and fill material) in waters of the United States under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.

Project activities that have potential water quality impacts include those associated with dredging, filling in wetlands, excavating, drilling, stabilizing site soil to prevent ground movement during earthquakes, and managing post construction stormwater runoff.

DEQ and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened a 60-day comment period on a Section 401 Water Quality Certification application from the Jordan Cove Energy Project. The comment period will close at 5 p.m. on July 21, 2018.
 
View the full public notice in the documents section below for details on the comment process.

DEQ will review and consider all comments on the application received during the public comment period. DEQ will use the application material to develop an evaluation findings report and draft certification decision. DEQ may issue the draft certification decision on the project as proposed, issue the certification with conditions, or deny the certification.

Next steps:

  • DEQ will draft an evaluation and findings report and decide whether to draft a 401 Water Quality Certification or deny the certification.
  • DEQ will hold a separate public comment period on its proposed determination.
  • DEQ’s will also hold public meetings and public hearings at multiple locations during the public comment period.
  • DEQ will evaluate and respond to public comments in its evaluation report before making a final determination.
Air Contaminant Discharge Permits

​The Air Quality Program received an air contaminant discharge permit application for the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas facility and an air contaminant discharge permit modification application for the Pacific Connector pipeline compressor station. Air Contaminant Discharge Permits primarily regulate minor sources of air contaminant emissions, but are also required for any new major source or major modification at a major source. DEQ will review the application materials and begin drafting permits.

When DEQ finishes drafting a permit for the liquefied natural gas facility and a permit modification for the compressor station, DEQ will hold separate public comment periods and hearings. The air quality liquefied natural gas facility public hearing will be held in Coos Bay and the air quality compression station public hearing will be held in Malin.

Solid Waste Landfill Permit
​Jordan Cove has a permitted landfill with three cells on the North Spit (Solid Waste Permit No. 1142). Jordan Cove is developing plans to close the landfill, which would require revised Operations, Conceptual Closure and Post-Closure Care plans under its current permit. In April 2018, DEQ received those revised plans from Jordan Cove.
 
In July 2018, DEQ approved the revised Operations, Conceptual Closure and Post-Closure Care plans. See the documents section below.
 
Under the 2018 Operations Plan, Cells 2 and 3 would no longer receive new waste. In addition, the 2018 Conceptual Closure Plan and Post-Closure Care Plan for both Cells 2 and 3 have changed. Under the new plans, Cell 3 will no longer be closed and capped. Instead, waste would be removed from inside the liner in two phases. In the first phase, some waste would be removed and taken to a permitted landfill off site. In the second phase, the remaining waste and the liner would also be removed and disposed of off site. Any removal in the second phase will be reviewed and approved as part of the closure permit. The Conceptual Closure Plan for Cell 2 is not changing. That cell will be closed and capped.
 
Next steps: Jordan Cove is also required to submit an application for permit closure, which it also was submitted in April. DEQ is drafting the closure permit. Once the closure permit is drafted, DEQ will hold a public comment period. The applicant is preparing bid documents for partial removal of wastes from Cell 3 under the 2018 Operations Plan.
Expected permit applications

​Below is a list of other permits that have been identified for the project, but which DEQ has not yet received applications on:

  • Water Quality permits for stormwater management during construction of the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas facilities on the North Spit, the Kentuck mitigation site in Coos County and the Pacific Connector pipeline from Malin to the terminal on the North Spit. DEQ requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for stormwater discharges to surface waters from construction and industrial activities and municipalities if stormwater from rain or snow melt leaves a site through a "point source" and reaches surface waters either directly or through storm drainage. Projects that disturb more than one acre of land are required to obtain a 1200-C permit. Learn more about stormwater permits.
  • A Water Pollution Control Facilities permit is needed to manage the land application of the spent hydrostatic testing water used to check for leaks during construction of the Pacific Connector pipeline. The spent hydrostatic testing water will be land applied in several locations along the pipeline route.
  • Jordan Cove is planning to treat industrial and domestic wastewater coming from their new facilities. DEQ will require Jordan Cove to seek a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to manage those wastes using a new wastewater treatment system. 
 

Environmental Impact Statement

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is drafting an Environmental Impact Statement that evaluates the potential environmental effects of the federal project. DEQ will provide comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement. DEQ will post links to the draft and final Environmental Impact Statements when they become available. FERC has not issued the schedule for the Environmental Impact Statement.
 

Project elements

Liquified natural gas terminal

​The proposed terminal would receive natural gas via the pipeline. At the terminal, natural gas would be super-cooled into a liquid and transferred to vessels for export. Roughly 110 to 120 vessels would use the terminal each year.

Marine slip

​The proposed export facility includes a new marine slip to accommodate ocean-going vessels. The marine slip would be excavated on 120 acres adjacent to the Coos Bay to create about 30 acres of new marine moorage. The marine slip would be dredged and maintained to a depth of 45 feet and would displace about 4.3 million cubic yards of dredged material. An additional 1.3 million cubic yards of material would be dredged to create an access channel connecting the marine slip with the federally maintained navigation channel. Jordan Cove will place the dredged material at four proposed locations: the Weyerhaeuser Linerboard Mill site, the liquefied natural gas terminal site, the Kentuck golf course mitigation site, and the North Point site in North Bend.

Navigation channel

​Jordan Cove proposes widening the navigation channel at four turns between the jetties and marine slip. The project calls for dredging about 700,000 cubic yards of material to widen the channel. Dredge material will be disposed at several upland locations.

The Port of Coos Bay proposes deepening the navigation channel to 45 feet and widening it to 450 feet from the ocean entrance to approximately River Mile 8.2 past Jordan Cove proposed facilities. The project would require the dredging and disposal of approximately 18 million cubic yards of material (sand and rock) to a proposed ocean disposal site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead agency on this part of the project.  The Corps will draft a separate Environmental Impact Statement and the Port of Coos Bay will draft and submit its joint permit application. The Corps is developing the outline for the draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Pipeline

​The proposed Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline Project is designed to transport up to one billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from Malin to the Jordan Cove LNG terminal, where the natural gas will be liquefied for export to international markets. The pipeline would affect about 450 bodies of water in the Coos, Coquille, South Umpqua, Upper Rogue, Upper Klamath and Lost River watersheds. The pipeline would cross beneath four major rivers (Coos, Umpqua, Rogue and Klamath) and would cross 1.58 miles of wetlands and 2.45 miles of water bodies.

The applicant is proposing to construct the pipeline in approximately five segments referred to as ‘spreads’.
 
Spread 1 – MP 0.00-51.60
  • North Bend, Coos County to Camas Valley, Douglas County
Spread 2 – MP 51.60-94.67
  • Camas Valley, Douglas County to Milo, Douglas County
Spread 3 – MP 94.67-132.47
  • Milo, Douglas County to Butte Falls Highway, Jackson County
Spread 4 – MP 132.47-169.50
  • Butte Falls Highway, Jackson County to Buck Lake, Klamath County
Spread 5 – MP 169.50-228.81
  • Buck Lake, Klamath County to Malin, Klamath County
Temporary workforce housing

​Housing, sanitary services, and amenities for 700 temporary construction workers are proposed for development during construction of the liquefied natural gas project. The housing is proposed on the North Spit at the former Weyerhaeuser mill site.

Regional safety center

​The Southwest Oregon Regional Safety Center, a multi-agency emergency response and training center, would be on the North Spit at the former Weyerhaeuser mill site.

 

Documents

​Contacts

For more information about DEQ's role in the proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project, call Mary Camarata, Project Coordinator, at 541-687-7435.
 
Members of the media should contact Katherine Benenati at 541-686-7997. 
 

Sign up to receive email or text updates on DEQ's LNG actions.