Sunday, September 21, 2008
Clatsop Co. Voters Speak Loudly on LNG
Opponents of LNG terminals on the Columbia River celebrated last week after scoring a major victory in a referendum vote that overturned changes to County laws made by the Clatsop County Commissioners on behalf of Texas-based NorthernStars LNG project on the ColumbiaRiver. With over 67 % of voters from generally conservative Clatsop County voting 'No' on the
measure to open up Clatsop Countys park and open space lands to LNG pipelines, LNG opponents say their victory highlights statewide opposition to LNG and related pipelines.
NorthernStar brought two lawsuits to try to stop this ballot measure from going to voters and waged a high-priced political campaign featuring a barrage of radio ads, mailers, push polling and full page newspaper ads. Despite the fact NorthernStar outspent LNG opponents by more than 5 to 1, voters rejected the ballot measure that would have opened up parks and open space zoned lands to NorthernStars pipeline. While the measure itself was focused on allowing LNG related pipelines in lands zoned for parks, the measure clearly became a popular referendum on LNG. Congratulations to local Surfrider members and volunteers who helped support this effort!
