[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 29, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VAL T. HOYLE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2023

  Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, although I am not able to come in 
to vote because I have COVID-19, I want to make clear my position on 
Roll Call No. 167, Boebert amendment No. 2 to H.R. 1. This amendment 
would add a Sense of Congress expressing disapproval of the State of 
Oregon's denial of permits for the now defunct Jordan Cove Natural Gas 
facility in Coos Bay. Had I been present, I would have voted against 
this amendment.
  The Jordan Cove Energy Project would have built a Liquified Natural 
Gas (LNG) export terminal and pipeline in Oregon's 4th Congressional 
District. Initially I supported this project as it provided an 
opportunity to bring good-paying union jobs back to Oregon's south 
coast and support a region still working to economically recover from 
the collapse of the timber industry.
  The federal government and the state of Oregon have environmental 
laws and robust standards in place to ensure that significant projects 
are in the public's interest. As Oregonians, we demand accountability 
and will stand in defense against polluting our water or destroying our 
ecosystems.
  The amendment on its face is ridiculous. The failure to move forward 
and build the Jordan Cove Energy Project is not the fault of the State 
of Oregon. Multiple state agencies conducted a thorough and fair review 
of the project. While some permits were denied, the project sponsor 
ultimately withdrew their application. In fact, the Oregon Department 
of State Lands granted the project sponsor multiple extensions to share 
the necessary information to process the permit. Blame for the 
withdrawal does not lie with the State of Oregon, nor the federal 
government.
  Bringing high-quality jobs back to Southwest Oregon has been and 
continues to be a top priority of mine. We can do that while also 
protecting our environment and without building new fossil fuel 
infrastructure.
  We are working to rebuild our middle class by bringing in good paying 
jobs and supporting our rural economies. That's why I am joining a 
broad coalition of people to support the Port of Coos Bay's container 
terminal project which would bring the West Coast's first ship-to-rail 
container port to Oregon. This container project has the potential to 
bring up to 9,000 new jobs to my congressional district and relieve 
supply chain congestion, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
I'll continue to focus my energy on real solutions for everyday 
Oregonians and Americans as opposed to dwelling on the past.

                          ____________________