Energy Coalition Launches “Truth Offensive” in Challenge to Anti-LNG Groups
(Click here for a printable version of this press release.)
(Salem, Oregon, January 13, 2009) Saying it is “drawing a line in the sand” against continued opposition to responsible energy development in Oregon, leadership and supporters of Energy Action Northwest (EANW), a business and labor coalition, today mounted a “truth offensive” to rebut supporters of Bark-Out, the Columbia Riverkeepers and others who today protested proposed LNG development in Oregon.
“We are here to launch an ‘energy truth offensive’…an effort to provide a factual counterpoint to the antics and unsupported claims of those environmental extremists who are unable to see the need to balance Oregon’s historic commitment to environmental stewardship with the realities of our state’s need for affordable, reliable energy,” stated Ed Finklea, EANW’s executive director. “We can no longer stand idly by as these groups attempt to stop the energy infrastructure development Oregon needs to sustain our economy and, most importantly, our job base.”
Joe Esmonde, labor leader and EANW board member, stated, “Oregon is in the unenviable position of facing strong increases in natural gas demand at a time when our traditional sources of supply are facing decreasing production. In order to competitively position Oregon to ensure access to new sources of gas supply, pipelines and terminals must be constructed to help meet that critical need. Natural gas can serve as a bridge to a clean energy future that includes more reliance on renewable resources such as wind and solar.”
“A small but vocal minority in the environmental community seeks to block these projects….projects that, without taxpayer support, will provide significant short term economic stimulus through their construction. In addition, the projects also will assure Oregon continued access to reliable, reasonably priced supplies of natural gas to power our electric grid, our manufacturing sector and heat our homes,” said Esmonde.
John Endicott, Business Manager, Plumbers & Steamfitters, UA 290, stated, “We are here today because it is time to correct the half truths and misleading claims of the extremist environmental fringe. It is time that all participants in the discussion of our energy future…legislators, regulators, the news media, responsible environmental groups and the public at large…hold these groups accountable for their baseless attempts to halt construction of needed energy infrastructure.”
At a press conference immediately prior to the anti-LNG protest, Finklea and members of EANW launched the “truth offensive” with a series of fact briefings that included:
Irrefutable evidence of the need for additional energy supply in the face of growing demand and decreases in traditional supply sources for Oregon over the next 20 years.
An explanation of how the natural gas pipeline and terminal projects now under review can position Oregon for access to new sources of supply for natural gas.
A description of the economic benefits that proposed pipeline and terminal projects will produce in Oregon, including the anticipated job creation and private investment associated with these projects.
EANW pointed to the projected 47%* increase in natural gas demand over the coming 20 years, and the inability of current natural gas supply sources to meet this demand in the very near term.
“Inadequate energy supply threatens Oregon’s quality of life,” Finklea stated. “Our business and labor coalition is taking a leadership role in ensuring we have enough energy to power our jobs and secure our economic future,” he continued. “To do so, we invite all Oregonians to join us in advocating for renewable energy projects and the proposed development of natural gas terminals and pipelines now under Federal and state regulatory review.”
“Any of these projects, and the jobs associated with them, would jumpstart the economy and immediately create family wage construction jobs in Oregon,” stated Endicott. “Our opponents seem to be indifferent to the plight of the Oregon worker,” he concluded.
Click here to view a printable version of the slide presentation "Regional Need for New Gas Supplies," presented at this event.
