Media Contact:
Rebekah Staub, Earthworks, rstaub@earthworks.org
WASHINGTON — Today, Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced they will approve a permit extension for Delfin LNG, an offshore liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminal proposal off the coast of Louisiana. The announcement comes as the Trump administration tries to boost LNG exports, even though exporting huge quantities of U.S. gas abroad increases domestic fuel and electricity prices, worsens the climate crisis, and further pollutes the air and water of communities on the frontlines of LNG.
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) denied the extension because Delfin LNG failed to comply with the original conditions of the Record of Decision and made significant changes to the application without the required review. MARAD is now determining if the changes to the application necessitates an Environmental Assessment, as directed under Sec. 8. of the “Unleashing American Energy” executive order.
The announcement was made during Wright’s opening remarks at CERAWeek, the fossil fuel industry’s largest annual conference, in Houston where more than 500 people protested outside of the conference to challenge fossil fuel executives who profit from pollution and climate disasters.
Statement from Kelsey Crane, Senior Policy Advocate at Earthworks:
“This announcement is just a continuation of Chris Wright acting in the interest of Big Oil and Gas. Without hesitation he is advancing a project that has a different design, funding, contracts and operational plans since it was first reviewed over six years ago. It is clear his only job is to make fossil fuel corporations rich by advancing oil and gas projects, which will leave families and small businesses to struggle with higher energy bills.”
For more information on Delfin LNG: