Gov. Ted Kulongoski has criticized a federal report on the local liquefied natural gas terminal project. He suggests it failed to consider alternative energy sources and provided little assurance of environmental protections.

The governor asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week to issue a supplemental draft Environmental Impact Statement to address concerns raised by Oregon state agencies.

His concerns echo those raised by other state officials during the years-long filing process. He questioned the need for an LNG terminal in Coos County in light of the FERC’s recent conditional approval of an import facility at Bradwood Landing on the Columbia River. He also suggested the process was moving too fast, allowing the comment period to end before the public learns the exact route of the project’s pipeline and plans to mitigate environmental damage.

“Many conclusions in the DEIS are founded on assertions and unenforceable promises, not on sound science, comprehensive analysis and empirical facts,” he wrote in a letter to FERC.

He acknowledged the project would bring benefits to the local community in the form of port improvements, increased tax revenues and jobs. But he reminded FERC its duty is to also consider the environmental costs, a task he suggested hasn’t been done properly.

Among the concerns he raised was the possibility Oregon’s energy demands could be met with alternative sources of natural gas or conservation, rather than another LNG terminal. He also suggested FERC must outline exactly how environmental damage will be mitigated.

“The State of Oregon is deeply troubled by the Commission’s process and the lack of information contained in the DEIS for a project of this magnitude,” he wrote.

He noted that FERC followed a similar process in approving the project at the Bradwood Landing site.

He also said the draft EIS doesn’t take into consideration how local emergency responders will be assisted in providing safety at the site, nor the potential danger of having the terminal about a mile away from Southwest Oregon Regional Airport’s runways.

FERC has said it plans to complete a final EIS on Jordan Cove Energy Project’s terminal by February, and issue a decision by May.