COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) -- Backers of a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas import terminal at Coos Bay, Ore., have taken the first step to convert their project to an export terminal.

Jordan Cove Energy Project filed a $50 application Thursday with the U.S. Energy Department. That's a precursor to a full export application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

U.S. gas producers are looking at such exports as an opportunity given the development of shale gas fields.

Jordan Cove's Bob Braddock tells The Oregonian (http://bit.ly/pWTMmr) the company won't proceed with the expensive permitting process without firm commitments from terminal users.

Opponents mounted a fierce campaign to block three proposals to build LNG import terminals in Oregon, including one in Coos Bay. They say an export terminal would also harm the environment.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com

Copyright 2011 The AP.