Gov. Gregoire�s statement regarding preliminary approval for gas pipeline

For Immediate Release: September 18, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire issued the following statement regarding the decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to allow NorthernStar to proceed with its proposed liquefied natural gas terminal in Oregon, on the Columbia River:

�Today�s announcement that FERC has given conditional approval for a liquefied natural gas terminal in Oregon and an underground pipeline in Oregon and Southwest Washington is premature and troubling. Earlier this week, I sent a letter to NorthernStar executives expressing my desire for the company to spend more time evaluating the project�s environmental impacts and to see the company work more closely with local communities.

�This project will result in a 17 mile underground natural gas pipeline that will run from near the mouth of Mill Creek on the Columbia River to north of Kelso in Cowlitz County in Southwest Washington. I share the concerns of those living in the area, and believe FERC�s inadequate review fails to address legitimate environmental and public safety concerns raised by state and local leaders, and members of the community.

�I have directed Washington�s Department of Ecology to act as co-lead for the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process. I intend the SEPA process to answer the serious questions from both citizens and government agencies regarding environmental and safety impacts of the proposed pipeline. Only a thorough review will allow us all to judge the project.�