It’s a loaded question. What do Coos County residents think about building a liquefied natural gas terminal on Coos Bay’s North Spit?

No one knows for sure. There has never been a countywide poll or vote, in part because siting authority now rests with the federal government.

But that doesn’t stop people from guessing.

Tim Bishop thinks supporters outweigh the naysayers. Now he’s trying to turn them into a not-so-quiet majority.

A lifelong Coos County resident, Bishop has seen a lot of families leave with the loss of timber and fishing jobs.

“I happen to be one of the crazy ones,” he said. “I think this area will turn the corner.”

In his opinion, an LNG terminal can make the difference.

“It can be kind of an anchor tenant on the North Spit,” he said.

Bishop has supported the project all along, though his support increased substantially over the past month.

When Jordan Cove Energy Project and Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline held a joint town-hall meeting last month, Bishop took action. He sent out e-mails. Lots of e-mails, imploring them to show up.

“Just shy of 1,000,” he said.

The result? Supporters, many sporting “LNG Yes!” pins, outnumbered opponents at the meeting.

When the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay held a special meeting to extend its agreements with Jordan Cove and Weyerhaeuser, he sent out more e-mails. Fewer supporters turned out, but still they made their presence known.

When the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission holds a public meeting Oct. 27, Bishop plans to crank up his public relations machine.

“I’m very happy with what we’ve done so far,” he said.

In addition to the e-mails, Bishop and two fellow LNG supporters have created a Web site, http://www.friendsoflng.com. It is designed as a forum for people to post topics of discussion about LNG and related issues.

Some of the posts talk about how various political leaders view LNG while others talk about how to undermine opposition to the LNG project.

Jody McCaffree, leader of the local Citizens Against LNG group, said she has noticed the increase in the numbers of supporters, though she hasn’t been impressed.

“I see it as uninformed people coming to meetings because they want jobs,” she said. “I think it’s a reaction to our success.”

She suggested supporters of the project haven’t investigated the implications of the project and if they did, wouldn’t support LNG in the area.

Jon Barton argues just the opposite.

As president of Friends of New and Sustainable Industries, he has provided his support to Bishop and the Web site. He too has been trying to get more support behind the LNG terminal and sees the Web site as an opportunity to educate the public.

“The thing that becomes blatantly obvious as we talk to people is that they are only hearing one side of the story,” he said.

Barton said the biggest misconception is the safety risk.

“The terrorist talk is rubbish,” he said, suggesting the actual risk of an accident is much overblown by opponents..

He also downplays the environmental impact, noting that most will occur during construction of the terminal and pipeline.

“In a few years, you won’t even know it is there,” he said.

Bishop points to the potential of new jobs, millions of dollars in tax revenues and the possibility for additional industries moving in on the tailcoats of LNG.

“No other company is sitting at our doorstep,” he said.

For a while, Bishop figured the energy companies didn’t need any help. But that opinion changed with the business community in Astoria lobbying for the Bradwood Landing project and the possibility only one terminal will be built in Oregon. He figured now was a good time to make a push.

That isn’t to say he has no concerns about the project. Although he sees little cause for safety worries, he is bothered about the prospect that the pipeline company will use eminent domain to gain access to property.

“I hate to see eminent domain used at any time, but it was put in place so one can’t stand in the way of many,” he said.

McCaffree thinks it is the eminent domain issue that most people area against.

“I don’t think the silent majority supports the use of eminent domain,” she said.

Some residents asked the Coos County Commissioners to put the issue to a vote in May 2007. Commissioners Nikki Whitty and John Griffith both opposed the idea, suggesting it would be a meaningless exercise since the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has the final say. Commissioner Kevin Stufflebean said he wouldn’t oppose a vote, as long as it comes at no cost to the county.

“If people just want an advisory vote, I don’t think taxpayers should have to pay for it,” he said.

Commissioner-elect Bob Main was unavailable for comment Friday.

While Bishop doesn’t have any solid facts to support his insistence that most people like the idea, he said he has spoken with a many business owners and citizens who share his views.

“It is hard to take a stand on an issue when it can cause your business harm,” he said.

So far he hasn’t seen any of that backlash. When he attended the port meeting last month, someone wanted to know more about him, but otherwise he has only had positive feedback.

“Most people are calling and thanking me for keeping them informed,” he said.

(Staff Writer Alexander Rich covers LNG issues for The World. He can be reached by calling 269-1222, ext. 234; or by e-mailing to arich@theworldlink.com.)