Coalition Against GSX Cites More Key Setbacks for Controversial Pipeline
For Immediate Release
16 Nov 2004
For more information, contact:
RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Wendy Steffensen, (360) 733-8307, waters@re-sources.org
Fuel Safe Washington; Fred Felleman, (206)595-3825, felleman@comcast.net
Neighbors for Birch Point; Jo Slivinski, (360) 371-0301, josl@nas.com
Smart Growth Birch Bay; Alan Friedlob, (360) 371-3441, citizenscience@comcast.net
Friends of the San Juans; Stephanie Buffum, (360) 378-2319, Stephanie@sanjuans.org
North Cascades Audubon Society, Paul Woodcock, (360) 671-1537, paulwoodcock@earthlink.net
GSX Concerned Citizen Coalition of BC; Arthur Caldicott (250) 370-9930, x22, arthurcaldicott@sqwalk.com
On Tuesday, November 9, 2004, the San Juan Board of County Commissioners denied on appeal a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit applied for by GSX (Georgia Strait Crossing) Pipeline, LLC that would allow a massive natural gas pipeline to cross through San Juan County via the Strait of Georgia on its 84.5-mile crossing from Sumas through Whatcom County to Cherry Point and then on to Vancouver Island, BC. The U.S. portion of the pipeline is part of a larger project jointly sponsored by British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (BC Hydro) and Williams Gas Pipeline Company (Williams). FRIENDS of the San Juans had challenged the San Juan County Hearing Examiner's earlier approval of the Shoreline Substantial Development Permit for the GSX permit.
On November 4, BC Hydro's Senior Vice President of Distribution, Bev Van Ruyven, stated, "We would go with the Terasen alternative [instead of GSX] if Terasen does get regulatory approval, and we can firm up costs." Terasen operates the existing pipeline to Vancouver Island and is currently seeking regulatory approval from the BC Utilities Commission to upgrade the system. Terasen claims, and BC Hydro concurs, that the upgrades will be cheaper than GSX. BC Hydro's statement was corroborated the same day by Richard Neufeld, Minister of Energy of Mines, who said that if the regulatory review of Terasen's application is successful, "then GSX would not be needed."
These developments underscore the fundamental reality that Williams' stated purpose for the pipeline-to transport natural gas from Canada through Whatcom and San Juan counties to Vancouver Island-is not viable. The project has no local support on either side of the border and no certain buyer for the gas it was designed to deliver. Also, in Whatcom County, the decision-making process has been slowed because Williams did not apply for a Substantial Development Permit, which the Whatcom County Council maintains is required.
Furthermore, according to Fred Felleman of Fuel Safe Washington, who is awaiting a decision from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals on their challenge to FERC's {Federal Energy Regulatory Commission] authority to permit the project in the first place, "It is clear that Whatcom and San Juan Counties are being asked to shoulder the burden of an unneeded project. Unfortunately," continued Felleman, "the Department of Ecology's failure to respond to the applicant in a timely manner and the failure of the Washington Attorney General's office to defend the Counties' interests essentially leaves the protection of our increasingly imperiled waters in the hands of a Canadian business decision."
Yet Washington State, Whatcom and San Juan Counties are all on record as opposing the implementation of GSX, and now BC Hydro, the original sponsor for this project, is almost certain to withdraw its support. With BC Hydro's announcement and the reversal of the San Juan County decision, coalition organizations remain "cautiously optimistic" about these recent developments on both sides of the border, regarding the future of GSX.
Wendy Steffensen of RE Sources stated, "I am very pleased that BC Hydro has acknowledged that Terasen is the cheaper alternative. Environmental and neighborhood groups have been saying for years that they were cheaper alternatives to GSX. The destruction of farmland, and marine and riparian habitats for the GSX pipeline is absolutely unnecessary."
Our coalition of organizations expects that BC Hydro will choose Terasen over GSX and will force the withdrawal of this proposal by Williams. If Williams does not withdraw GSX, we will continue to actively fight the implementation of this pipeline project that provides so little benefit to Washington State relative to its formidable environmental and safety risks.
#