The proposed Bradwood Landing LNG terminal near Astoria, Oregon had its FERC license vacated by a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last March, effectively killing the project and last year Bradwood Landing filed for bankruptcy. Just like the local Jordan Cove LNG proposal, Bradwood Landing LNG promised jobs, jobs, jobs and badly needed economic revitalization. A recent collection of articles published in The World about the revitalization of Astoria were very encouraging and support the argument made by opponents of LNG that Coos Bay can recover from its economic hard times without liquefied natural gas.

There it is, proof positive published right here in the venerable The World supporting the findings of the SDAT report that says it is possible “…to make a successful transition from extractive, non-sustainable industries to a sustainable use economy, in which decisions made today do not result in passing on a damaged environment and economy to future generations”. So why, when talking about LNG, is Eric Farm of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce selling the false belief that, “We can’t afford to say no to these things if they have the protections in place”? Farm even makes this statement during the same interview in which he and Sandy Messerle, director of SCDC are touting Astoria’s LNG free successful revitalization!

Who is actually driving the local chamber strategy? Who is writing the talking points memos and issuing the marching orders?

Another chamber member has been giving power point presentations about the dire unemployment and poverty rates in Coos County then without explanation and in the face of contrary statistical data blaming these conditions on unfriendly Oregon business laws. This is like saying, “oh my gosh, the eggs are burning on the stove!” and then saying “quick, we better mow the lawn so the fire doesn’t spread”. Statistically, there is no correlation between high poverty and unemployment rates and a regulated business climate, in fact there is evidence to the contrary.

This is the organization that is influencing and “educating” our elected officials and legislators. This is very scary.

Negotiating from a position of weakness is always a mistake. If the chamber really believes we have no choice but to bring in LNG, that we are weak, then they are clearly the last people we want negotiating on our behalf. Negotiating from a point of ignorance or deliberate falsehood raises the question of who is really driving the local economic development bus? The chamber, SCDC and FONSI all push these wild projects with the promise of jobs, jobs, jobs and attempt to reduce the complexity of local economics to simplistic catch phrases. “Build it and they will come”. The twelve inch pipeline was supposed to produce 2,900 jobs. We built it and are still waiting for “them” to come.

Sabine Pass LNG in Jefferson County, Texas, like Bradwood Landing LNG and Jordan Cove LNG was sold to the public as a great jobs and economic revitalization opportunity and yet Jefferson County still suffers among the highest unemployment and poverty rates in Texas. The Sabine Pass pipeline was constructed using the same process of eminent domain condemnation to acquire private property right of way and now is applying for an export license. The sales pitch to the public is, of course, jobs!

How often will we prostitute ourselves, rape the planet, pollute the water supply and genuflect to every developer/promoter who rolls into town promising jobs? When will we take matters into our own hands, ignore this old paradigm and move forward into the 21st and 22nd century?

There are successful solutions implemented in other areas, including Astoria or Freiburg, Germany. What is in it for the chamber to ignore these opportunities and promote a position of weakness and fear?