Residents press county over pipeline sale and maintenance shortfall; commissioners cite high repair costs

A series of public comments and commissioner remarks focused on Coos County’s aging natural-gas pipeline and the county’s plan to transfer ownership to a utility that can maintain it.

A member of the public raised concerns about potential revenue loss and the county’s approach to selling the asset. Commissioners responded that the pipeline has not generated profit and requires substantial maintenance; staff reported approximately $2 million remaining in the county’s maintenance reserve while an estimate for meaningful repairs exceeds $12 million. The county said it has sought potential buyers over the years and that Northwest Natural has expressed interest; the transfer would require approval from the Public Utility Commission.

Commissioners emphasized the pipeline’s role in supporting major local employers and institutions — including lumber operations, schools and the hospital — and said forfeiting maintenance responsibility to a regulated utility is a practical step to ensure continued service. They cautioned that rate increases are subject to PUC oversight and that sale proceeds are not expected to cover the full cost of needed repairs.

Public commenters asked whether the county would receive $2 million for turning over the pipeline and whether that figure is sufficient; county staff said the $2 million is the current reserve and had been designated for repairs. Commissioners said the county lacked resources to permanently restore the pipeline and that transfer of ownership would remove ongoing maintenance liability from the county.

Next steps: the county is engaged with Northwest Natural and the Public Utility Commission toward approval of a transfer; no final sale was approved at the meeting.