In a letter sent on March 10, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington announced his opposition of the proposed expansion of the Gas Transmission Northwest (“GTN”) pipeline, which will appear before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) as soon as April 13, 2023.
Inslee expressed his concern for the expansion’s estimated climate impact, noting that “expanding GTN’s pipeline is inconsistent with our state laws to address climate change…If GTN continues business as usual with its pipeline in 2050, it would represent 48 percent of the region’s target greenhouse gas emissions from all sources.”
Should the GTN Pipeline expansion be approved, it would add an additional 3.47 million tons of carbon to the atmosphere per year.
“Washington cannot afford the costs of GTN Xpress, neither in terms of its cost to our progress on addressing climate change or to the health of all who call Washington home. We stand behind Governor Inslee in urging FERC to reject the proposed GTN Xpress project.” – Riley Lynch, Climate and Health Program Manager at Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
“We are thrilled that Governor Inslee is standing up for communities and climate with his opposition to the GTN Xpress proposal. He is right. GTN Xpress is flatly contrary to Washington state’s energy and climate laws and would saddle ratepayers with costs as demand for gas declines.” – Audrey Leonard, Staff Attorney at Columbia Riverkeeper
“The GTN Xpress fracked gas pipeline expansion goes against our values and threatens vulnerable communities and the environment. Faith communities across Washington are committed to caring for our neighbors, and we thank Governor Inslee for speaking out to FERC against GTN Xpress, joining nearly 300 Washington faith leaders who are also asking FERC to deny the project.” – Rev. AC Churchill, Executive Director of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light