Court backs state in Coos Bay LNG marine terminal plan

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Supreme Court has upheld a decision, over the objections of environmentalists, by the state lands department to allow the dredging of the port of Coos Bay for a proposed deep-water marine terminal where ships could load liquefied natural gas coming from a planned pipeline.

Petitioners, who are environmental advocacy groups, said the permit was invalidly issued because the lands department didn’t consider negative effects of the terminal, such as a fuel spill.

The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously ruled the department wasn’t required to consider negative effects. Petitioners had said there was a contradiction, because the department considered positive effects, such as increased employment.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comments on the project. A spokeswoman says 14,000 have come in so far.