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Gas Pipeline Expansion Sees Support and Opposition

A demonstration against the proposed expansion of a Natural Gas pipeline was held in Bend Friday and environmental groups host a hybrid town hall Monday with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley scheduled to speak.

Protest organizer Freddy Finney-Jordet tells KBND News why a student coalition opposes increasing capacity of the Gas Transmission Northwest pipeline, “It would release 3.7 million extra tons of greenhouse gases a year, and it would be paid for of our pocket. So, we’re doing this demonstration in order to show the FERC that this is not something we want to happen. …The biggest thing is the climate crisis. This would just continue us down a path toward a future that is not livable for people my age and my co-organizers.”

‘FERC’ is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is scheduled to discuss the project Thursday.

Despite a favorable environmental impact statement, and support by some public officials, 350 Deschutes Executive Director Diane Hodiak says the GTN Xpress is too risky, “We know that all pipelines leak methane. And methane is known to be a significant health risk. And that pipeline runs very close to our Central Oregon cities. It's within a couple miles of downtown Bend.”

Supporters say expanding the aging pipeline, which runs from Canada through Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and into California, is necessary to meet continued demand for Natural Gas in the Pacific Northwest.

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