Courtney Naquin, courtney.naquin@sierraclub.org
Lake Charles, LA - Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced a six-month delay for CP2 and CP Express, a fracked gas export terminal and its associated pipeline project proposed for construction in Southwest Louisiana. FERC aimed to have the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the facility done by February of next year. It now plans to issue a final EIS by July 28, 2023.
Last month, Southwest Louisiana environmental and community advocates celebrated FERC’s decision to suspend the facility’s environmental review as the facility failed to provide necessary data. FERC states in this most recent delay notice that CP2 and CP Express still continue to have “outstanding” and “deficient” environmental and engineering data that is required to prepare an EIS.
Venture Global, the fossil fuel company behind CP2 and CP express, urged FERC to allow an extension on their project, using the war in the Ukraine and the European gas crisis to justify their extension. However, it takes years for LNG projects to come online, so CP2 could not feasibly aid Europe in the short-term and Venture Global has not been able to meet its final investment predictions.
James Hiatt, a former refinery worker and now Southwest Louisiana Coordinator with Louisiana Bucket Brigade, said:
“Venture Global has demonstrated their focus on speed over safety with the existing Calcasieu Pass terminal. Now they’re attempting to put CP2, another dangerous gas export terminal, directly in the backyards of Cameron residents. Venture Global’s priorities are foolish and pose a real danger to every person in this community. We cannot afford any more gas export terminals on this fragile coast.”
Roddy Hughes, Senior Campaign Representative with Sierra Club’s Beyond Dirty Fuels Campaign, said:
“This is the second delay CP2 has faced this year regarding its lack of environmental data. This should be highly concerning to FERC and Louisiana’s state environmental regulatory agencies. A project that still cannot provide this critical information proves that Venture Global is unreliable and should not be granted any more attention or public resources. This delay is good news for Southwest Louisiana residents and we’ll continue working with FERC alongside SWLA community leaders to ensure that their home is not made into a sacrifice zone to the fracked gas industry. But FERC must stop catering to Venture Global’s cries for help and start prioritizing the communities and environment of Southwest Louisiana.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.