Commercial Fishermen and Landowners Statement on CP2 LNG DC Circuit Oral Arguments 

WASHINGTON- The DC Circuit Court held oral arguments yesterday, which will determine whether Virginia-based Venture Global’s massive Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal and pipeline in southwest Louisiana will be allowed to proceed.  

Earthjustice in partnership with the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of impacted commercial fishermen, landowners, and community groups including Fishermen Involved in Sustaining Our Heritage and For a Better Bayou, argued in front of the DC Circuit that CP2 is inconsistent with the public interest.  

The project threatens calamity for the commercial fishing industry in Cameron, which is already suffering from declines in catch following FERC’s approval of other LNG export facilities in the area. Modeling also shows that the project will result in hundreds of premature deaths, thousands of asthma attacks and missed school and workdays, and other harms.  

Commercial Fishmen, Community and Environmental Organizations released the following statements in response: 

Statement from Travis Dardar, Indigenous fisherman of Cameron, Louisiana, and Founder of FISH – Fishermen Involved in Sustaining our Heritage:  

“Venture Global’s operations have displaced my family. Cameron Parish has generations of history that are being lost to make corporate profit. Allowing this project to move forward will be the death knell of our way of life.” 

Statement from James Hiatt, Director of For a Better Bayou:  

“We already see the consequences of earlier approvals to allow Venture Global to operate CP2 in Cameron Parish. Over 260 acres of marsh was destroyed in August, fisher people that have fished these waters all their life have had to leave and close shop, even the air isn’t the same anymore. Venture Global must be stopped before all hope is lost for our community.”  

Statement from Megan Gibson, SELC Senior Attorney:  

“For generations, the fishing families of Cameron Parish have depended on these waters for their livelihoods. They should not be forced to put their health and their way of life at risk so another out-of-state company can export more gas overseas. The Natural Gas Act requires FERC to approve projects like CP2 only if they are consistent with the public interest, which requires meaningful consideration of the harms to local industry, coastal communities, fisheries, and the environment. That did not happen here.” 

The CP2 LNG project, if built, would become one of the largest fossil fuel export terminals in the country. Located on the Calcasieu Ship Channel, the terminal would bring a surge of ship traffic, dredging, and pollution to the area, compounding damage from existing LNG infrastructure. Many local families have already experienced dramatic declines in shrimp harvests since the first Venture Global terminal was constructed.