CORVALLIS (AP) — Opponents of liquefied natural gas projects hope their protests will help fend off proposals that seem likely to get green lights from federal regulators, if history is any guide.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has yet to turn down any proposal to import superchilled gas, said Dan Serres of Columbia Riverkeeper at a meeting Tuesday in a church hall in Corvallis.

The agency may have three chances to approve such projects in Oregon, two along the Columbia River and one at Coos Bay.

“FERC is very cozy with the energy industry,” Serres said.

But, he said, the state can thwart the projects, such as by refusing the developers the permits they need.

“We’re the political backbone for Oregon to say, ‘No,’ “ he said.

Secretary of State Bill Bradbury also spoke, along with members of a statewide coalition, to a crowd of about 100 at a Unitarian Universalist Fellowship hall.

He said the ports, terminals and pipelines required to import, process and distribute the gas represent a step backward in meeting Oregon’s goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

“It’s clear that we’re at a crossroad,” he said. “Do we move forward with energy policies that protect the planet or remain tied to an outdated, dirty technology like LNG?”