Tell Whatcom County to Require a Thorough Environmental Review

Coalition action led by Friends of the San Juans | sanjuans.org | Image credit: David Stalheim



This action is now closed. Thank you to the nearly 700 people who spoke up with us on this issue!


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The Salish Sea deserves better than unchecked fossil fuel expansion.


Join us and our coalition partners in taking action! Friends of the San Juans is leading a coalition of regional environmental organizations to demand an Environmental Impact Statement before there’s any further expansion at the Ferndale LPG Terminal.

  • Submit your public comments by 4:00 p.m. on September 17, 2025.
  • Tell Whatcom County to require an Environmental Impact Statement for the Ferndale LPG Terminal!
  • It only takes 2 minutes, and we’ve provided suggested comments to make it easy.


Issue Overview


To date, there has been no thorough environmental assessment on the impacts of 33 projects at the Ferndale liquid petroleum gas (LPG) Terminal, known as AltaGas’ ALA Energy Ferndale Terminal on Cherry Point.

Whatcom County is reviewing 33 LPG permit applications without requiring an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), despite its public promise to mandate an EIS, and despite the dramatic increase in terminal traffic since 2016.



Coalition action led by Friends of the San Juans | sanjuans.org | Image credit: NOAA


What’s at Stake?


Without an Environmental Impact Statement, these risks—and more—will go unaddressed:

  • Heightened community exposure to rail and very large gas carrier accident risks, LPG explosions, and increased air and water pollution.
  • Increased vessel traffic and industrial activity on Cherry Point and in the Salish Sea threaten treaty-protected resources like salmon and shellfish, undermining the ability of Tribal Nations to exercise their rights and sustain cultural lifeways.
  • More ships in the Salish Sea threaten the marine ecosystem and endangered Southern Resident killer whales through pollution and underwater noise impacts, as well as the risks of explosions, oil spills, and ship strikes.

The Opportunity


Your voice can make Whatcom County keep its promise of a transparent, science-based permitting process. Together, we can:

  • Require a thorough environmental review of 33 fossil fuel projects at Cherry Point — including 31 that were completed without permits.
  • Identify mitigations to safeguard Salish Sea communities from rail and shipping risks and impacts.
  • Protect the Salish Sea ecosystem and endangered species like the Southern Resident killer whales.

Learn More


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Friends of the San Juans has been advocating for stronger safeguards at the Ferndale LPG Terminal and leading engagement that has already secured protections like the use of designated anchorage areas and prohibiting anchoring in the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve—tangible wins for Southern Residents, salmon, and the Salish Sea. Learn more about the full breadth of our work at sanjuans.org


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