USA: Jordan Cove LNG Terminal to Be Built by Union Labor

The Jordan Cove Energy Project announced that its construction contractors have reached a project labor agreement, ensuring that the estimated $6 billion Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal will be built by union labor.

Jordan Cove’s construction contractors Black & Veatch Corporation, Inc. and Kiewit Power Constructors have received approval by the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO to operate under the National Construction Agreement. An identical agreement was also reached with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701. A consortium of Black & Veatch and Kiewit Power will manage construction of the Jordan Cove and its associated power plant to be built in Coos Bay, Oregon.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement ensuring our facility will be built by experienced union labor,” said Bob Braddock, Project Manager. “Black & Veatch and Kiewit are world leaders in designing and managing LNG and power plant construction projects and teaming them with quality, skilled labor will enhance our long-term safety and reliability.”

Jordan Cove has received all local land use approvals and is seeking construction, operation and export permits approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and U.S. Department of Energy. Construction of the export facility and supporting power plant is anticipated to span 42 months with an average workforce of 900 and a peak workforce of approximately 2,000. The average construction wage will be $85,000 per year including benefits.

“There are thousands of qualified pipefitters, electricians, laborers, sheetmetal workers, ironworkers and boilermakers across Oregon that will benefit from this work, receiving good wages with benefits for three years of construction,” said John Mohlis, Oregon State Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary. The Council is composed of 30 local unions and five District Councils.

“We are pleased to partner with Jordan Cove. We look forward to the opportunities this project will bring, including thousands of Union jobs during the construction process, good permanent family wage jobs which are vital to boost the Southern Oregon Coastal economy, and higher state revenue by increasing its tax base for years to come,” said Doug Tweedy, Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary Treasurer/CEO. Mr. Tweedy is also president of the Northwest Regional Council of the Northwest National Construction Alliance, which includes the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701.

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LNG World News Staff, April 18, 2013; Image: Jordan Cove Energy