MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Local county officials in southern Oregon are asking the federal government to reject a proposed natural gas pipeline.

The Medford Mail-Tribune reports the Canadian company Pembina wants to build a 229-mile underground pipeline to ship natural gas overseas to Asian markets. But county commissioners in Southern Oregon’s Jackson County say in a joint letter this month that the project would violate environmental laws and provide only short-term economic benefits to the area.

Commissioners say Pembina is asking for exemptions to federal environmental regulations meant to protect forests and rare species. They add the project would only bring temporary construction jobs to the area and provide fleeting economic benefits.

Pembina says it hopes to address the county officials’ concerns in future meetings.


Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/

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