There were no explosive reactions Wednesday to the announcement three companies are collaborating to develop a new 250-mile natural gas pipeline setting out from Coos Bay.

Nor was there surprise from the two groups working to bring attention to safety issues surrounding a proposed liquid natural gas import facility at Coos Bay.

“This isn't going to help us in any way. We're just a pass-through point,” said Monica Schreiber.

The North Bend resident characterizes herself as a concerned citizen, but also a spokeswoman for Coos County Citizens for Representative Government. The group went to work early on when Colorado investors announced they wanted to build a $150 million natural gas terminal on the North Spit.

From day one, CCCRG's concerns have been community safety and accountability. That hasn't changed, Schreiber said. The group has lost some steam in recent months in its efforts to interest people on learning more about the potential dangers of a natural gas facility.

“The community just didn't want to pick up on it,” she said.

Principally, Schreiber mentions the potential for an accident at the proposed LNG facility or even along a pipeline - concerns she feels local officials have minimized. An explosion and catastrophic fire. A tsunami or earthquake. Even terrorism or sabotage. And more, she said, people in the community need to know who ultimately will pay for safety and security measures in the bay and along pipeline routes.

“The fiasco with the pipeline - isn't that waking people up to who's paying the bill?” Schreiber asked, referring to environmental fines, property damage and lawsuits over Coos County's current pipeline.

Bob Braddock, who is the local manager for Energy Projects Development spearheading the Jordan Cove Energy Project, said he realizes some individuals have strong views about LNG. He figures he won't be able to convince them to believe in the proposed projects.

“I don't think they represent the majority by a long shot. We have been surprised by the outpouring of support,” Braddock said.

The Coos County group has not spoken out in opposition to the LNG facility. Schreiber said it represents residents with varying viewpoints from those in opposition to those who are undecided. Overall, she said, they are united in believing there needs to be a lot more information released to the community.

Another group, Friends of Living Oregon Waters, has been following the proposed LNG development here and four along the Columbia River. Program Coordinator Dan Serres said his group became involved out of concern for the waters of Coos Bay. He wanted the community to understand the impacts of new dredging on bay fish, crab and shellfish populations and other resources.

“But ultimately the safety and security stuff sort of dwarfed the environmental stuff,” he said Wednesday from Portland.

Last month, Serres went before the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay commission encouraging the commission to keep LNG discussions in the public venue and to study safety and security issues.

Serres said he would like developers to answer how they will run a new 250-mile pipeline without encroaching on people's property. He wants study on whether it's safe to run a big pipeline alongside Coos County's smaller one. A 36-inch pipe can handle a whole lot more gas than a 12-inch pipe, Serres said.

Rather than the discussion quieting down in Coos Bay, Serres said it should be escalating.

“Places like Coos Bay and Astoria may not have the political clout of Portland, but they deserve to receive some of the same consideration ... that this type of proposal would have in Portland,” he said.

Where that goes, he said, will in part depend on how much people in the community choose to become involved in learning more about the potential impacts and consequences of LNG.