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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Northwest farmers look for new export market in Cuba ... Now that's a fan ... At least 31 dead in bombings of Brussels airport, metro ... Northwest farmers look for new export market in Cuba ... Now that's a fan ... At least 31 dead in bombings of Brussels airport, metro ... OUR VIEW Our View: The Jordan Cove denial produces shock and awe Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The fight over the Jordan Cove liquified natural gas terminal and its pipeline may not be entirely over, but one thing is certain: Just about everyone — and especially the opposition — was shocked by the denial of the project. It may not be enough to convince people that the government really is here to help you, but perhaps the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's rejection of the LNG project offers some hope that people can indeed be heard through the marble that encases much of Washington, D.C. FERC issued its denial Friday, saying the poorly defined benefits of the project were outweighed by the costs to private landowners, whose properties would carry more than two-thirds of the 230-mile pipeline. The pipeline would have extended from Malin in Klamath County to Coos Bay on the Oregon coast, crossing numerous rivers, streams and mountain ranges in the process. The combination of private property rights and environmental concerns produced a coalition that was loud and persistent in opposing the project. In the end, it seemed to be the intrusion on private property — along with economic questions — that carried the most weight in the denial. While the economic issue helped kill the LNG project, it also leaves the door open a crack for Canadian-based energy company Veresen and pipeline company Williams Partners to bring it back from the dead. FERC notably said the companies could resubmit the proposal when and if they can demonstrate a "market need" for the project. That suggests that improved project economics could produce the necessary benefit to overcome the costs to property owners. Of course, much of the debate has been whether it's even appropriate to consider the profits of private companies as a benefit. When the project switched from importing gas to exporting it, that became a much more dubious argument. There are more losers in the FERC decision than the companies. Coos Bay had high hopes for the jobs the projects would create in construction and operation of the plant and pipeline. Lord knows the Southern Oregon coast needs jobs as its timber and fisheries economy is virtually dead. While not all residents there supported the project, it was clearly popular among the business and blue-collar segments of the community. Those supporters will now have to rest their hopes on an expected rehearing request from the two companies. They have 30 days to file what is in essence an appeal and say they intend to do that and intend to solidify their economic case. Should the rehearing produce the same denial, the companies would have the opportunity to refile when and if they are better able to establish the benefits of the project. So opponents can breathe a sigh of relief. But the fight is not over yet. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501