The Biden Administration is placing a pause on pending liquefied natural gas export terminals, which puts in jeopardy the construction of the 10-billion dollar Calcasieu Pass 2 terminal project in Cameron Parish. President Biden says they want to examine the impact LNG exports have on energy costs, energy security and the environment. Louisiana Bucket Brigade director Anne Rolfes applauds the decision.
“The state of Louisiana and the gas export industry have a plan to turn our coast into cancer alley by putting a dozen gas export terminals on it, so thank Gold President Biden did something about it,” said Rolfes.
But Economist Loren Scott says this decision jeopardizes the state’s economic growth.
“If you look at the Louisiana economic forecast we just put out, we had Lake Charles one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the state if some of these LNG projects would pull the trigger,” said Scott.
Scott says the United States ship LNG to Europe so they don’t have to count on Russia for natural gas. He says if U.S. limits what they supply to Europe, they’ll be forced to use coal fire power plants which will lead to even more pollution.
“It might improve the environment in the United States, it’s going to deteriorate the environment worldwide,” said Scott.
Rolfes says gas export terminals are also bad for the seafood industry.
“Do you want a coast that’s just an industrial wasteland or do we want our culture with lively and vibrant fishing communities that are providing us shrimp, crawfish, crabs and oysters” said Rolfes.
Scott disagrees that LNG plants are harmful to the seafood industry.
Here are some additional comments.
On the record, attributable to Charlie Melancon, Louisiana Energy Export Partners (LEEP) Spokesman and former LA Congressman:
“Today’s announcement that the administration has paused approval of Calcasieu Pass 2, the largest natural gas terminal in the United States, is disappointing. Natural gas exports are vital to driving Louisiana’s economy by creating jobs and boosting local revenue. Moreover, the decision runs counter to the administration’s climate goals. Natural gas exports are a key tool for lowering global carbon emissions by replacing coal usage. I encourage the administration to reconsider and support approval for Calcasieu Pass 2 and future Louisiana export projects. We must make decisions based on what’s best for the American people and our allies abroad — not out of state climate activists who are not in touch with what is best for Louisianans.”
Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute
“Tapping the brakes on CP2 is the best signal yet that the Biden administration is ready to put people and the planet ahead of fossil fuel profiteers,” said Lauren Parker, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute. “This is a crucial moment to protect future generations by halting the massive U.S. fossil fuel expansion. Now that the administration is listening to frontline communities, youth and climate advocates, it needs to go all in on phasing out fossil fuels. We need a public interest test that denies any fossil fuel expansion that would drive us deeper into climate catastrophe.”
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