Broad Coalition Backed by 156,000+ Tells Trump Admin that LNG Exports Are Not in the Public Interest

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) concluded its comment period on the 2024 LNG Export Study: Energy, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of U.S. LNG Exports. A broad coalition of local residents, fishermen, economists, environmental organizations, and veterans submitted comments telling the Trump Administration that LNG exports are not in the public interest. 

The Biden Administration released this landmark study in December, following historic action to pause and evaluate the impacts of new LNG exports, finding that: 

• There are enough LNG exports already approved to meet global demand for decades to come;
• Unfettered exports of LNG will increase wholesale domestic natural gas prices by over 30%;
• LNG facilities tend to be concentrated in communities overburdened with petrochemical pollution;
• Increasing LNG exports threatens our ability to meet our global commitment of limiting warming to 1.5ºC and would displace more renewables than coal globally. 

Veterans, economic experts, more than 150 frontline and national organizations, members of Congress, and more than 156,000 Americans, all submitted comments urging the Administration to reconsider the approval of more LNG exports. Hundreds of thousands of Americans — including consumer advocates, national security experts, retired generals, frontline community leaders, and doctors and nurses — have already called for a stop to the rampant expansion of LNG exports. 

Below are statements in response: 

Roishetta Ozane, Founder, Director, & Chief Executive Officer, Vessel Project of Louisiana: 
”As a mom, a frontline leader, and an advocate for environmental justice living in Sulphur, LA, I stand firm in my belief that the health and well-being of our families should never be compromised for the sake of profit. The recent findings from the DoE's LNG Export Study resonate deeply with us — enough is enough. Our community has been burdened by harmful fossil fuels for far too long, and it's time we prioritize clean air, safe water, and a sustainable future for our children. 

“The voices of local residents, fishermen, and environmental advocates are a powerful testament to our collective resolve against the expansion of LNG exports. We know that these actions threaten not just our environment but also our livelihoods and our children's futures. It is time that elected leaders listen to us and put people first.”

Mahyar Sorour, Director of Beyond Fossil Fuels, Sierra Club: 
“The closing of this comment period finalizes a rigorous, in-depth process to update the public interest determination criteria and we believe the Trump administration’s Department of Energy should now fully utilize these studies to closely assess the impact of LNG exports on people across the country. These studies make it crystal clear: LNG exports raise consumer costs, pollute the air and water, harm communities, and perpetuate the climate crisis. Increasing the already historic amount of methane gas the U.S. ships overseas will increase net global greenhouse gas emissions and displace renewables globally. No matter the spin from industry supporters, the facts are on our side and we will do everything we can to ensure the Trump administration is accountable to the reality of the situation — we must stop the expansion of LNG exports for the best interest of the American people.”

James Hiatt, Director, For a Better Bayou: 
“The unfettered expansion of LNG exports is a reckless, profit-driven agenda that puts corporate greed above the well-being of American families. These exports drive up energy costs for every household, burden already over-polluted communities, and lock us into a future of climate chaos. Regulatory agencies must answer to the people — not to the fossil fuel industry. This is not an ‘America First’ policy; it’s an America Last policy that serves only a handful of wealthy corporations while leaving everyday people to bear the cost. The Department of Energy’s study confirms what frontline communities have been saying for years: more LNG exports are not in the public interest.” 

Gwendolyn Jones, Founder & Executive Director, Climate Conversations of Brazoria County, Texas: 
“We’ve had tornadoes that we’ve never experienced unless it was related to a hurricane, now it is a regular occurrence. People don’t have the necessary insurance coverage for this extreme weather that we’ve never seen before. The only way we’ll be able to survive is to move away from LNG and other polluting industries and move towards renewable and clean energy. There’s so much that we are capable of doing but LNG is taking all the money. We need to work on ways to clean up the air, water, soil that will prolong our life and make it healthy for future and present generations living on Earth.” 

Breon Robinson, Southwest Louisiana & Southeast Texas Community Organizer, Healthy Gulf: 
“The DOE's report confirms what frontline communities have been saying for years — methane gas exports are absolutely not in the public interest. This product fuels the climate crisis, endangers public health, and prioritizes corporate profits over people. The expansion of LNG exports threatens our air, water, and future, all while increasing costs for American families. And for us in Southwest Louisiana, it is slowly threatening the way of life we enjoy the most — being outdoors. It’s time for the DOE to listen to the communities most impacted and reject new methane gas export facilities. We must invest in clean, renewable energy that protects both our environment and our economy.” 

Debra Sullivan Ramirez, Mossville Environmental Action Now, Louisiana: 
“We have previously presented our concerns to the Department of Energy as mothers, grandmothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, urging them not to permit the proliferation of LNG lines. Instead of heeding our warnings, they documented our statements and disregarded our concerns, opting to support LNG instead. I would like to remind them that, as the saying goes, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? In light of the current administration's refusal to acknowledge the human impact and instead prioritizing economic interests, we are left with no choice but to mobilize as a community to safeguard our planet, the only home we have. 

“It is imperative that the DoE acknowledges its past mistakes and takes responsibility for ignoring the concerns of the people. As residents, we are forced to coexist with numerous oil and gas facilities that produce not only natural gas from LNG but also toxic chemicals such as benzene, vinyl, asbestos, and ethylene. We have endured the detrimental effects of these chemicals for extended periods. None of these corporations have considered our opinions or consent prior to establishing their operations in our communities. They did not even consult us regarding the types of jobs we wanted in our cities, towns, and states. 

“My question is, will DoE employees now stand in solidarity with us, considering their jobs are also at risk? Will they finally comprehend our struggles as a community fighting to preserve our environment from destructive policies imposed by the current administration? Not only must we worry about the LNG lines traversing our communities, posing risks of explosions and toxic emissions, but DoE employees must also take a stand, as their jobs are equally threatened. It is time for us to collectively fight for the preservation of our planet. The question remains — Who is being dishonest and who is telling the truth?” 

Lois Booker Malvo, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, & President, Fisherville Environmental Action Now, Louisiana: 
“The more they expand LNG the more harm and destruction to our planet. People will lose homes. Where’s that money going to come from when Trump is cutting all of the resources?” 

Sharon Lavigne, Founder & Director, Rise St. James, Louisiana: 
“The pause was good but it wasn’t long enough. Why would you just pause when we can stop it altogether?” 

Paul Geary, Director, Concerned Citizens Table of Lake Charles, Louisiana: 
“DoE: Just follow your mission statement.” 

Tonyehn Verkitus, Executive Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania: 
“The Department of Energy report shows that LNG exports are just another Ponzi scheme that robs communities of their health in order to pay big corporate investors. We’ve already seen the consequences of oil and gas drilling, fracking, and infrastructure. How many devastated communities and lives lost does it take to do what is best for public and environmental health?” 

Christopher Basaldú, Ph.D., Co-Founder, South Texas Environmental Justice Network, Brownsville, Texas: 
“LNG export terminals are destroying people’s lives, health, and communities while LNG facilities destroy the environment, all for greed. This is the continuation of the genocidal and ecocidal economy of the United States of America. The DoE must stop facilitating the LNG export buildout. We don’t need or want any new LNG export terminals, and we want those already under construction stopped and cancelled.”

Sarah Martik, Executive Director, Center for Coalfield Justice, Southwestern Pennsylvania: 
“Expanding LNG exports is a blatant attempt to pad the pockets of fossil fuel companies and their millionaire CEOs, at the cost of higher utility prices and increased environmental and public health burdens for our communities. As research has shown, and contrary to what gas companies want us to think, global demand for LNG exports is a made-up problem, and vulnerable communities do not reap economic gains from this industry operating in their neighborhoods. Instead, we need to do what’s best for the public and for the climate and move beyond fossil fuels.” 

Tyson Slocum, Energy Program Director, Public Citizen: 
“Every study not funded by the fossil fuel industry concludes that expanded LNG exports threaten American families with higher energy bills. So the Trump Administration cannot approve additional LNG export requests without violating the public interest. In addition, President Trump declared a domestic energy emergency on January 20. As long as the nation is operating under a declared energy emergency that allegedly threatens domestic energy shortages, the Department of Energy cannot approve any additional LNG exports.” 

Frankie Orona, Executive Director, Society of Native Nations: 
“DoE’s report makes it clear: The U.S. Department of Energy, in alliance with the fossil fuel industry, has consistently placed corporate profits above the health and survival of our communities. For centuries, our lands, waters, and sacred sites have been sacrificed for industry expansion, while Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities bear the greatest burden of this destruction. We will not stand by as yet another wave of devastation is unleashed in the name of profit. 

“LNG exports are a direct threat to our climate and an extension of environmental racism. The expansion of LNG terminals disproportionately impacts frontline communities, polluting our air, poisoning our water, and accelerating greenhouse gas emissions — all in direct violation of environmental justice commitments. We demand the immediate revocation of all LNG export approvals. The DoE must conduct a thorough environmental justice analysis for all proposed energy projects, ensuring genuine consultation and consent from impacted Indigenous and frontline communities. Our people, our lands, and our future are not for sale.” 

Katie Jones, Ohio River Valley Coordinator, FracTracker Alliance: 
“The Department of Energy study presents compelling evidence that unrestricted LNG exports are detrimental to the American people. Expanding LNG exports harms the health of frontline communities, the pocketbooks of American families, and the environment and climate we all depend on. Although LNG is sometimes touted as a "bridge fuel" to renewable energy, the DOE study shows that more LNG exports are unnecessary and will only benefit the fossil fuel industry. Instead of continuing to invest in infrastructure that will entrench fossil fuel extraction and use for decades, the nation should focus on renewable energy and climate solutions.” 

Karen Feridun, Co-Founder, Better Path Coalition, Pennsylvania: 
“Facts are useless if they're ignored. The Trump administration is particularly fact-averse, but refusal to hear the facts on fracking and LNG exports has been a bipartisan problem throughout our government since the first unconventional well was drilled. The Department of Energy has done the public a service with its refreshingly frank analysis. It's time for our elected officials to confront the facts and end LNG exports.” 

Allie Rosenbluth, United States Campaign Manager, Oil Change International: 
“There is overwhelming evidence, including in this Department of Energy analysis, that U.S. LNG exports mean higher energy bills, accelerated climate chaos, toxic pollution in frontline communities, and LNG expansion outpacing global demand. Through this comment period, over 156,000 Gulf South residents, fishermen, veterans, economists, and allies across the country made it clear that LNG exports are dangerous, dirty, and unwanted. This broad coalition will continue to fight to stop LNG expansion for their health, safety, and livelihoods above their fossil fuel donors’ profits.” 

Raena Garcia, Senior Energy Campaigner, Friends of the Earth U.S.: 
“The Department of Energy’s study confirms that the Trump Administration’s agenda to supercharge LNG exports will come at the expense of consumers and the climate. We cannot afford to haphazardly greenlight LNG exports and prop up an industry that continues to threaten our people and the planet for profit. Over a hundred thousand people including scientists, policy experts, activists and concerned citizens have made it crystal clear that expanding LNG is not in the public's best interest.” 

Zanagee Artis, Executive Director, Zero Hour: 
“The Biden administration took a meaningful step towards addressing the out-of-control expansion of liquefied methane gas exports by releasing this critical analysis and holding a public comment period. The Trump administration has a responsibility to incorporate this information and public input into the Department of Energy's decision-making. Despite evidence that LNG exports pollute our air and harm American consumers, the Trump administration is disregarding the public interest and pushing through LNG export facilities to benefit the corporate polluters who bankrolled his campaign. President Trump represents all Americans, not just Big Oil billionaires. It's time to put people over polluters and stop LNG expansion.” 

Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network: 
“Since the Trump Administration has taken office, they have done all they could to discredit the findings in the DoE’s report on why LNG exports are not in the public interest. But the public and the plain facts prove that approving LNG exports will undermine critical climate goals, increase greenhouse gas emissions; bring economic hardship and instability for consumers; and harm public health, especially in communities already overburdened by pollution. DoE must heed the truth and listen to the overwhelming input from the public and stop authorizations for LNG exports in order to protect our economic, environmental and public health.” 

Alyssa Portaro, Director, Habitat Recovery Project: 
“As the LNG study comment period comes to a close, it’s clear that critical aspects of this project’s impact have been ignored. The ‘public interest’ determination disregards the well-being of the very community most affected. Cameron residents — who once thrived in the seafood capital of the United States — are now watching their fishing economy, well-being, and safety sacrificed for global politics. For over a year, the Habitat Recovery Project has worked directly with the citizens of Cameron Parish, listening to their concerns and analyzing trip ticket data that reveal the devastation LNG has inflicted on the local ecosystem and economy. Despite DoE having access to this evidence, they continue to sidestep the true cost of this project. 

“Beyond the human toll, the broader ecological consequences that the fisherfolk working next to these facilities keep flagging remain unexamined. Where are the studies on migratory disruptions, and the examination of key biological signifiers in this fragile region? Some residents can’t even go out on their boats without suffering nosebleeds. Many nearby families are battling cancer while their only hospital is being demolished. Fishing — once a way of life — is disappearing, and with the closest large grocery store over 40 minutes away, food security is in jeopardy. DoE must ask the people who live and work in the shadow of these LNG projects if they believe it is truly in the public interest — or if it is just another sacrifice zone in the name of profit.” 

Kathleen Thompson, Executive Director, Progress Texas: 
“Texas and neighbor Louisiana are two of the top oil and gas exporters, and we have an interest in ensuring prices stay affordable here at home, that our families are safe from the high and long term costs of LNG on our health and local economies, and of course, not adding more fuel to the fire of our already scorching climate.” 

Crystal Cavalier, Ph.D., Co-Founder & Director, 7 Directions of Service: 
“LNG export projects drive up domestic energy costs, accelerate the climate crisis, and disproportionately harm communities already suffering from industrial pollution. Proposed LNG facilities pose a direct threat to communities, land, and water from North Carolina to the Gulf South. In places like Robeson County NC and along the entire Atlantic and Gulf coasts, these facilities endanger tribal lands, fragile ecosystems, and the health of residents who are already bearing the brunt of environmental injustice. Expanding LNG exports fuels climate disasters and carries devastating environmental and economic risks for local communities. 

“The Trump Administration must heed the overwhelming opposition from veterans, economists, and more than 156,000 Americans who have spoken out against this reckless expansion. We cannot sacrifice public health, economic stability, and environmental justice for corporate profit. It’s time to put people before polluters and put an end to LNG export approvals once and for all.” 

Empower Michigan: 
“As the Department of Energy’s comment period on LNG Exports comes to a close, Empower Michigan emphasizes the urgent need for a clear-eyed approach to energy policy that prioritizes climate justice and community well-being. Liquefied Natural Gas exports not only exacerbate environmental harm, but also raise significant concerns about energy equity, especially for frontline communities that are already disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. By submitting comments, we are asserting that energy decisions should not only serve corporate interests but also ensure that marginalized communities have a voice in shaping policies that impact their health, safety, and future. Empower Michigan remains committed to building a just, inclusive energy movement where all Michiganders can thrive in a clean, sustainable energy future.” 

Patrick McDonnell, President & Chief Executive Officer, PennFuture, Pennsylvania: 
“By exporting LNG, we are diverting local gas supplies to international markets, which inevitably drives up domestic prices for consumers. Beyond the financial burden, the environmental toll is severe — causing air and water pollution and a rise in harmful greenhouse gas emissions which will result in more extreme weather conditions. The LNG industry has its sights on our low-income rural and urban communities in Pennsylvania, adding environmental impacts on top of financial injuries. This is a high price to pay for little to no short-term gain, and one that PennFuture calls on the Trump Administration to reject.” 

Allison Woolverton, Federal Fossil Fuels Campaigner at Earthworks:
“This study further proves that there is nothing natural about liquified natural gas. From ecological destruction and increased consumer prices for Americans to methane emissions and safety threats, LNG is not in anyone's interest. The Gulf Coast's shrimping industry, a hallmark of our culture, cuisine, and coastal livelihoods, is being decimated by the buildout of infrastructure for LNG exports. With lifecycle emissions surpassing that of coal, the export of LNG does not represent clean energy. Instead, it locks the U.S. into decades more of dependence on volatile global energy markets.”

###