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The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has found pollution impacts from what could be the largest liquified “natural” gas (LNG) export plant in the U.S. “are not significant” to regional air quality, contrary to extensive investigations by Earthworks documenting emissions from LNG export terminals in Louisiana, including methane pollution.
The announcement follows a court-ordered environmental review of air quality impacts, prompted by a rehearing request from For a Better Bayou, FISH, and other local fishermen and landowners in Southwest Louisiana who cited major errors in FERC’s original approval. Earthworks’ investigations have prompted little response from state regulators, undercutting the fossil fuel industry’s argument that LNG can play a constructive role in the energy transition.
“Calling the air pollution from what would be the largest LNG export terminal in the country ‘not significant’ is an insult to the people who live here and are choking on the fumes of industry,” said James Hiatt, founder of For a Better Bayou. “This isn’t regulation – it’s complicity. FERC isn’t protecting the public; they’re paving the way for corporate expansion while our communities get left behind, poisoned, and ignored.”
Optical gas imaging (OGI) by Earthworks captures emissions at Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass LNG site in coastal southwest Louisiana.
The proposed project, known as “CP2”, could emit greenhouse gasses equivalent to 1.8 million gasoline-powered cars — more than the total number of vehicles registered in the entire state. The facility would be located adjacent to the existing Venture Global Calcasieu Pass LNG facility and two miles from the proposed Commonwealth LNG facility. CP2 is sited for an area that has more low-income residents than 88% of the United States.
“This decision makes it crystal clear: the system is rigged for a few rich folks and outside corporations,” Hiatt said.
