Pipeline informational meeting sparks rally in Medford

Medford, Ore. — An informational meeting on the Jordan Cove Energy Project sparked a rally this evening.

Dozens of people – many of them members of local tribes – protested the project.

According to several people at the protest, this project has been turned down four times in the past 12 years.

Some say it’s a dangerous idea.

Others say it’s a good step forward.

“Governor brown, shut it down!” protestors shouted.

Dozens of people lined the streets of downtown Medford Thursday evening to protest the Jordan Cove Energy Project.

Jordan Cove LNG was holding an open house to to educate the public on the proposed 235-mile, 36-inch diameter pipeline.

The plan is to transport natural gas from Malin to the Jordan Cove LNG terminal in Coos Bay.

But some people like Mahlija Florendo – who comes from various tribes like Yurok and Hoopa – are against the pipeline.

“If your people are under attack what do you do,” Mahlija shouted at the protest.

She lives near the lower klamath basin of the Klamath River and says her people would be greatly affected if the pipeline were to leak or burst.

“We’ve seen what these pipelines can do to us. They can not only tear us down physically with our land and our water and our air, but they can defeat us just as human beings,” Mahlija said.

However, there are many that are in support of the pipeline.

“Depending on where you come from, there are benefits all over the place,” spokesperson Michael Hinrichs said.

Hinrichs says those benefits include access to natural gas, five million dollars in county tax revenue and more than 40 jobs associated with the LNG facility and pipeline.

Some even think it would benefit other countries who are still using coal instead of natural gas.

“If we could give them gas to reduce their emissions, it’ll be good for the planet,” John Carlson said.

While many are still torn one way or the other, Hinrichs says it’s a good thing that so many people are involved in the process.

“We want to hear from you… so please participate,” Hinrichs said.

The next Jordan Cove Energy Project open house will be held in Klamath Falls at the Oregon Institute of Technology.

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