ASTORIA, Ore. — Today Congressman David Wu joined local leaders to announce that he will soon introduce the Local Control for Energy and Environment Act, which will give state governments—not federal agencies—final say in the siting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.    

“I’ve heard time and time again from small business owners, farmers, fishermen, and parents that they are confused and frustrated by the multiple LNG projects and timelines, and more importantly, that they do not feel like their voices are being heard,” said Congressman David Wu. “The time has come to put the people of Oregon back in the driver's seat when it comes to deciding whether or not LNG is welcome here.”   

State governments used to have final authority on decisions regarding LNG facilities, but in 2005, the Bush administration and Republican Congress crafted an energy bill that made the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the final decision-making body on the construction, expansion, or operation of any facility that exports, imports, or processes LNG.  

To return this power to state governments so that Oregon communities can once again determine their own energy future, Congressman Wu's Local Control for Energy and Environment Act will nullify Section 311 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.  

By reestablishing Oregon’s role in the LNG siting process, Congressman Wu believes that future energy decisions will better reflect the goals and values of the local community. Concerns about the FERC process were underscored by local community leader Laurie Caplan.   

“The FERC approval process for LNG is broken,” said Laurie Caplan, chair of Columbia Pacific Common Sense.  “Time and again FERC has shown itself unwilling to regulate LNG and unwilling to advocate for the public."  

Local elected officials spoke about the importance the community places on environmental protection and how nullifying Section 311 would help address such concerns.  

“The adoption of this legislation will provide Oregon with a valuable tool to protect our fisheries, forests, and farms from the intrusion of foreign fossil fuel infrastructure,” said Clatsop County Commissioner-elect Peter Huhtala.   

Local business leaders also joined Wu to support the legislation, which has a companion bill in the Senate, S. 3056, which was introduced by Ron Wyden.  

“Congressman Wu, along with Ron Wyden in the Senate, have taken steps to ensure that the states have the right of self determination when it comes to the siting of energy facilities.  I applaud their efforts, but the job is far from complete,“ said Don West, general manager of the Cannery Pier Hotel.  

Congressman David Wu will introduce this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 15, 2010.  It is a companion measure to S. 3056 introduced by Senator Ron Wyden (OR).  Full text of the bill will be available from the Library of Congress at Thomas.gov shortly afterward.