Developers say the proposed $1.8-billion, 36-inch Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline would bring millions of dollars in taxes, as well as jobs and other economic windfalls to the state.

But those opposed say the pipeline will affect endangered species, natural resources and land owners along its route from Klamath County to Coos Bay, where backers hope to install a $4.5-billion liquefied natural gas terminal to export Canadian gas to Asian customers.

At a company-hosted open house meeting on Wednesday, Williams Companies officials led a round of questions and answers with a crowd of about 30.

The pipeline

Developers want to install 230 miles of pressurized natural gas pipeline from Malin to the coast. Chris Bias, a project manager for the Pacific Connector, explained the route of the pipe and the company’s interest in Malin — a series of northsouth gas lines interchanging at the southern Klamath County town.

“Most people probably don’t know about it, but if you’re in … the business, it’s kind of a special place,” he said.

Bias delivered a rundown of the purported benefits.

Approximately 1,800 workers would work on the construction, and the pipeline would generate $11 million in state taxes, 100 jobs operating the pipeline, with another 404 indirect jobs and 182 created elsewhere because of the pipe, he said.

The pipeline would produce an additional estimated $687,500 in Klamath County property taxes, said Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner on Thursday.

“That’s money that could be used for schools or law enforcement,” she said.

Environmental concerns

Cara Cruickshank, a Talent resident and Applegate Partnership & Watershed representative, aired a list of concerns, including water crossings and salmon habitat, the possibility of land seizures under eminent domain and the pipeline’s customer Jordan Cove, a controversial terminal proposed near Coos Bay, which seeks to serve Canadian gas producers.

“With all these concerns … I want to know how you can justify the pipeline,” she said.

Bias responded that FERC will have final say on the project, weighing benefits and impacts from the pipeline during its licensing process.

Klamath Tribes Culture and Heritage Director Perry Chocktoot countered that the FERC process is not about balance, but biased by federal energy policy.

“It’s not looking at it on a right or wrong basis, it’s guided by like ‘90s Bush energy policies,” he said.

apowers@heraldandnews.com