Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are the pipeline and LNG needed?
Natural gas is a vital part of the world's supply of energy and is the cleanest of all of the fossil fuels. Although the U.S. has significant resources of natural gas, the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast face increasing competition from the rest of North America for gas supplies from the producing regions. It's estimated that demand for natural gas will grow by 30 percent across North America in the next two decades, and this demand will outstrip production capabilities. It's important to have new natural gas resources available to serve North America, and a significant portion of these resources will likely come in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports that will be transported by the pipeline.

2. Why can’t renewable energy sources (wind, sun, etc.) be used?
As a transporter of natural gas, we believe that energy efficiency, both in gas and electric usage and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, are important components in providing solutions to meeting our energy needs, but they alone won’t meet the huge amounts of energy needed by electric generation, industrial users and millions of homeowners on a daily basis.

3. What is LNG?
LNG is natural gas converted to a liquid state by cooling it to -260 F. LNG occupies about 1/600 of the volume of vapor, which makes shipping it over long distances possible. Once the LNG has been shipped to a LNG import terminal, the liquid is slowly reheated back to its vapor state allowing it to be transported safely through a pipeline to various interconnects to serve communities along a pipeline route. LNG tankers have been used safely for 40 years to transport natural gas worldwide, without major accidents or safety problems. LNGs are regulated and LNG suppliers, shippers and terminal operators follow stringent security procedures and training. Today, more than 150 LNG tankers transport more than 100 million metric tons of LNG globally, including deliveries to major cities such as Boston and Tokyo.

4. How was the route for the proposed pipeline determined?
Construction, environmental and landowner considerations are at the forefront of the routing process. Where possible, the route has been selected to avoid public impacts while minimizing environmental issues, such as the number and location of water body crossings, scenic waterways, byways, wilderness, national parks and monuments. Where possible, the proposed route will run parallel to existing pipeline and power line corridors. Pacific Connector has also met and consulted with federal, state and local agencies and Native American Tribe representatives to help select a route that avoids or minimizes environmental and cultural resource concerns in southwest Oregon.

5. Will the proposed pipeline route use existing utility corridors?
Pacific Connector has reviewed more than 1,500 miles of potential routes in determining the current proposed route. Although it might seem ideal to locate a pipeline within an existing utility corridor-such as roadway-this creates long-term safety concerns because a pipeline can be damaged by a third party performing maintenance on the roadway. Locating a pipeline underneath a highway also impedes traffic during construction, and future road expansions or improvement projects may require relocating the pipeline, creating unforeseen environmental, landowner and system impacts. Subsequently, the current proposed route is co-located within a number of existing power line, road and pipeline corridors for approximately 90 miles of 39 percent of its entire length.

6. Will a pipeline on my land affect property values?
Property values are generally based on the actual use of the land. Construction of the proposed pipeline will not change the general use of the land, although certain building structures and landscaping cannot be built on the right of way. According to a 2001 study of four communities around the United States (including southern Oregon), funded by the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), the presence of a natural gas pipeline had no significant impact on the sale price or demand for properties located along the pipeline right of way.

7. Will a pipeline affect my insurance rates?
To our knowledge, a natural gas pipeline would have no impact on landowner insurance premiums.

8. What is an easement and how will I be compensated?
An easement is the same as a right of way, which allows Pacific Connector the right to use the land to install the pipeline, but an easement does not transfer title of the land to Pacific Connector. The landowner continues to maintain ownership of the property, although certain land-use restrictions are associated with a right of way.

All landowners are compensated for an easement, and Pacific Connector will work with landowners to determine fair market value for the easement. Fair market value is determined by independent professional appraisals or by comparable local land values.

9. How big is the easement or right of way?
The typical right of way for an interstate natural gas pipeline on private property in Oregon is 75 feet.

10. If I grant an easement, does this mean other utilities could also use this easement, too?
Any new utilities would have to negotiate directly with a landowner for an easement on the property. Pacific Connector has no way of knowing whether new utilities would be interested in the right of way.

11. If I can't agree on a price for the easement, will my property be condemned through eminent domain?
Eminent domain is sparingly used and always a last resort. Pacific Connector would prefer to acquire an easement by working with a landowner to negotiate a fair settlement. We take landowner concerns and issues into account and negotiate with each landowner to determine fair compensation for the rights we are acquiring. Our experience and practice of dealing fairly with landowners results in limited use of eminent domain. If Pacific Connector and a landowner can't agree, then the courts will help determine fair market value for the easement, and the landowner will be compensated based upon the decision of the court.

12. Will I be notified before crews show up on my property?
Before Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval is given, the Pacific Connector will request landowner permission before any activities are conducted on a property. If a landowner doesn't give permission, personnel from Pacific Connector can't enter the property. After FERC has given approval on this project, Pacific Connector will notify landowners when survey crews are going to enter a property prior to construction and to provide maintenance and operations activities.

13. To date, how many landowners have granted survey permission for this project?
2006 survey permission was granted by 83 percent (576/690); 2007 survey permission was granted by 70 percent (121/173); and 2008 survey permission, NSO primarily) was granted by 36 percent.

14. When will construction on the LNG and pipeline begin?
Construction is planned for May 2011 through December 2012.

15. What if my property or crops are damaged or destroyed during construction?
Pacific Connector will offer fair compensation for any property losses, such as cut trees or crops removed for construction. All land disturbed during the construction process will be restored, as nearly as possible, to its condition prior to construction.

16. Can I graze livestock during construction? Will they be safe?
This depends on a number of factors. In some cases, livestock will be able to continue to graze and Pacific Connector will work with landowners to ensure safe passage of livestock. In other instances, Pacific Connector will work with landowners to remove livestock from work and construction areas. Pacific Connector will consult with landowners to develop mutually agreeable terms regarding livestock grazing.

17. How will the pipeline affect wildlife on my property?
Before construction begins, Pacific Connector will complete species surveys in accordance with federal and state protocols to identify the presence and habitat of any federal and state listed species, Forest Service-sensitive and BLM special status species, and other rare or unknown species located within habitats crossed by the PCGP Project. As species surveys are completed, Pacific Connector analyzes the survey information to determine if any avoidance or minimization measures that can be implemented to protect the species from any potential impacts during construction and operation of the project. Where impacts to species or their habitats are unavoidable, Pacific Connector has proposed numerous mitigation measures which are intended to ultimately sustain fish, plant and wildlife populations and their habitats at current levels, to the maximum extent possible, and with the highest level of certainty possible.

18. Will the pipeline affect trees and landscaping on my property?
Pacific Connector will make every effort to avoid unnecessary cutting or removal of trees and other landscaping on the property; however, landscaping restrictions do exist along the right of way in order to maintain the safety and integrity of the pipeline. Pacific Connector will coordinate with landowners to reach a mutually agreeable solution, but generally large trees are not allowed on the permanent right of way within 15 feet on either side of the pipeline centerline.

19. Will installation of the pipeline affect my well and the quality of my water?
Pacific Connector will avoid private ground wells, municipal water supplies and any water sources identified. Where avoidance isn't possible, Pacific Connector will survey areas of concern prior to construction and will use best management practices and construction techniques to minimize damage to a particular water source. Any damages that result from construction will be repaired or replaced by Pacific Connector.

20. What impact will the pipeline have on Haynes Inlet and Coos Bay?
The construction impacts in these areas will be temporary. The pipeline will be installed underground using special in-water work equipment and techniques to minimize impacts to water quality and fisheries. Construction of the pipeline across the estuary is planned from October 1 trough February 15 following Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s recommendation. Pacific Connector has developed construction plans and best management practice techniques for installing the pipeline through Coos Bay.

21. Are pipelines safe? How are they monitored?
Natural gas pipelines continue to be one of the safest and most reliable forms of energy transmission. During the past 50 years, operations at Williams' Northwest Pipeline, the proposed operator of the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline, have never resulted in a fatality or serious personal injury to a member of the public.

The Pacific Connector pipeline will be monitored by Williams' Northwest Pipeline's Gas Control, which monitors all pipeline operations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Pipeline construction is regulated by a number of federal agencies and the Pacific Connector will adhere to all applicable standards regarding, construction, installation, operation and monitoring. The Pacific Connector pipeline will have an extensive integrity management program in place for the operation and maintenance of the pipeline.

22. How would a forest fire affect the pipeline?
A forest fire should have no effect on the buried pipeline. By federal law, pipelines must have at least 2.5 feet of cover. The Pacific Connector pipeline will be installed with a minimum of 3 feet of cover and many locations will have additional cover based on site specific design requirements. The soil cover provides protection to the pipeline from heavy equipment crossings as well as insulates it from high surface temperatures seen during a forest fire.

23. What about the risk of earthquakes or tsunamis?
The Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline will be installed underground except at aboveground meter stations and compressor facilities. Earthquakes minimally affect buried pipeline. All aboveground facilities will be designed in accordance with the earthquake requirements of the American Society of Civil Engineers and other organizations. Because the pipeline is buried, tsunami wave forces are not expected to have an impact on the integrity of the underground pipeline. The nearest above-ground facility to the ocean will be located at approximately 55 feet above sea level, with minimal impact from tsunamis at this elevation.

24. What does the right of way look like when construction is complete?
The permanent right of way will be maintained in a condition where trees or shrubs greater than 6 feet tall will be controlled (cut or trimmed) within 15 feet either side of the centerline (for a total of 30 cleared feet). Outside of this 30-foot maintained corridor, the permanent easement will not be maintained, allowing mature trees to reestablish. Pacific Connector will have no restrictions on future use on pasture and agricultural lands following construction except for restrictions on aboveground structures. The right of way may also be used for many recreational uses such as gardening, walking and running once the area is restored.

25. Will the pipeline gas be odorized?
Federal law does not require interstate natural gas pipelines to odorize the gas transported within their pipelines. Pacific Connector will odorize the gas at several interconnect locations where the natural gas is being transported into local distribution systems. Pacific Connector is currently evaluating odorizing the entire line from Coos Bay to Malin based on landowner feedback and the need to odorize at the majority of the interconnect sites along the proposed pipeline route.

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