SEASIDE (AP) - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said that he supports a bill that would regulate liquefied natural gas terminals, but has declined to get involved in where the terminal should be located.

"I'm not convinced this is a federal issue," the senator told an audience of about 60 in Seaside on Monday.

The issue of natural gas was introduced by an audience member who said energy costs are the reason for the push for natural gas terminals. Wyden sympathized with Brian Petersen, a fisherman from Astoria who displayed a February diesel fuel bill for $7,200.

The senator responded that he supports renewable energy, noting that gas companies don't have enough competition. "The oil lobbies basically just drain the competitive juices out of the oil market," he said.

But Wyden refused to get involved in whether a natural gas terminal should be installed near Warrenton, close to Astoria.

Port of Astoria commissioners came under fire from residents of Warrenton, after the commissioners voted to lease land to a company which wants to bring a liquefied gas operation to the coast. Residents cited safety concerns.