Central Oregon foes of TC Energy natural gas pipeline expansion press their case; company says work has begun

(Update: Adding video, comments from news conference)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  A group opposed to TC Energy's long-debated, now-approved natural gas pipeline expansion through Central Oregon continued to press their case Monday, joined by a Bend city councilor. But the company says the project got underway earlier this month.

 "The greatest impact that we can have is spreading awareness about this pipeline and the health and safety issues that it poses to our communities," 350Deschutes Campaign and Education Coordinator Nora Harren said.

Harren, Bend City Councilor Ariel Mendez and others met reporters Monday, at High Desert Middle School which the group claims is a potential blast site, should the pipeline explod.

Mendez said, "This (federal approval) was done in opposition to our two state senators, Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley. It was done in opposition from the top officials in Washington, Oregon and California. I don't see what the case is for it, from a business perspective."

The Canadian company is looking to expand the nearly 1,400-mile pipeline.

In an earlier statement, TC Energy said, 'Natural gas is a critical component of any strategy to meet North America's energy needs, (and) adding it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.'

In a statement sent Monday to NewsChannel 21, TC Energy's executive vice president said, "The pipeline already exists and is operational. Since 2014, demand on the existing GTN system has surged more than 50%, while access to lower cost supplies has been constrained."

Mendez said, "That's not a world that is going to be livable, if we keep expanding our fossil fuel infrastructure. We're going to be dealing with much worse wildfires, much worse storms. So that is not an acceptable future."

The pipeline has been operating since 1961 and spans from California to British Columbia, through Idaho, Washington and Oregon. 

Monday's protest at the middle school was interrupted when a Bend-La Pine Schools staff member told the group of about 20 it was illegal to gather for a protest on school property and told them to leave.

They gathered again across the street on what appeared to be public property and spoke out for another 20 minutes.

Harren said, "Our objective now is to communicate clearly to our elected officials, and to specifically our utility companies that they have a responsibility to the people that pay for gas here in Central Oregon."

A school district spokesperson called us to reiterate there is no connection between the middle school, the district and the pipeline project.

Last month, the industry website Gas Outlook said the expansion of the major pipeline "is in doubt after its owner said it is 'financially not viable' unless it can obtain permission to spread costs onto other utilities not associated with the project." 

But the company said Monday that the capacity-boosting GTNXP pipeline project has already begun, with a start-work order given on July 11.

From TC Energy:

Tina Faraca, TC Energy EVP & President, US Natural Gas Pipelines:

"Following FERC's order, GTN uprated its horsepower on existing infrastructure on the GTN pipeline system. Since 2014, demand on the existing GTN system has surged more than 50 percent, while access to lower cost supplies has been constrained. This market dynamic has led to unnecessarily high energy prices and strained reliability for consumers in the region. The GTNXP project, consisting of limited software and other upgrades to existing infrastructure, will address this issue by delivering additional reliable and affordable energy. FERC’s bipartisan approval of the project reaffirmed that it is in the public interest and in the words of FERC, will 'provide a tangible benefit to consumers through added reliability and by providing access to lower-cost gas.'”

Here is the Deschutes 350 press release:

Despite mounting opposition from the community and Oregon legislators, Cascade Natural Gas and TC Energy are proceeding with the GTN pipeline expansion, which runs from Canada through Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California.

Health and safety professionals, including Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, have issued urgent warnings about the increased gas pressure of 50 thousand dth/d daily, deeming it unsafe for the 61-year-old pipeline. Recently, GTN filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to put 50,000 Dth/d of GTN Xpress into service, representing one-third of the total 150,000 Dth/d proposed for the expansion project. This is enough gas to supply 250,000 homes in the coldest months.

Opponents are concerned about the excessive volume, especially since only about 40% of homes use gas. FERC approved this request without requiring any fortification of the existing pipeline, raising significant safety concerns within the community.

TC Energy, which has a poor safety track record, has experienced multiple explosions in similar aging pipelines. The increased volume and pressure without necessary upgrades heighten the risk of catastrophic failures. Buildings within 1,000 feet of the pipeline, including High Desert Middle School, the Humane Society,

Knott Landfill, and the proposed Stevens Road Tract development, are particularly at risk (see map below).

The press conference will feature City Councilor Ariel Mendez, a Bend-La Pine student, and other advocates discussing the severe health and safety impacts on Central Oregon. Nora Harren from 350 Deschutes emphasized the danger, noting the pipeline's proximity to the community and the potential for fatal explosions.

Advocates insist that if the expansion proceeds, the gas volume and pressure within the old pipeline must be reduced to minimize rupture risks.

The attorneys general of Washington, Oregon, and California oppose the GTN pipeline expansion, citing no documented need for additional gas and the goal of reducing gas consumption to meet climate action targets. FERC approved the project in October 2023 but did not allow TC Energy to charge ratepayers for the expansion. 350 Deschutes has collected over 250 signatures from customers asking
Cascade to reject the expansion.

For more information and to express concerns, visit 350 Deschutes.