Commercial Fishermen and Landowners Challenge FERC’s Approval of CP2 LNG Project

WASHINGTON – Today, the Niskanen Center, in partnership with the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of For a Better Bayou, Fishermen Involved in Sustaining Our Heritage and other impacted commercial fishermen and landowners, filed a request for rehearing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) challenging FERC’s authorization of the CP2 LNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

In its approval, FERC once again turned a blind eye to the devastating impacts of its decisions on vulnerable communities and local industry. This decision not only violates the Natural Gas Act (NGA) but also showcases FERC’s failure to protect those who are already overburdened by industrial pollution and environmental degradation.

The sprawling CP2 project, proposed by Virginia-based company Venture Global, would consist of an 85.1-mile gas pipeline to connect the LNG export facility to a pipeline carrying methane gas from eastern Texas, which would impact over 1,800 acres of land. The LNG export facility itself would impact over 630 acres of land in the already overburdened fishing community in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, where many of our clients work and reside. The Project is estimated to emit approximately 8,510,099 metric tons per year of CO₂e, which is the equivalent of putting more than 1,850,000 additional gas-fueled automobiles on the road.

FERC’s approval of this infrastructure project would continue the pattern and practice of sacrificing low-income and minority communities and the environment in the Gulf for the interests of the fossil fuel industry. The “need” for this project is entirely derived from an agreement with a Venture Global affiliate that would export the gas to foreign markets. FERC’s authorization of this Project, which did not identify public benefit for U.S. consumers, was unlawful.

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

“Fossil fuel companies and their government allies moved LNG projects into the region and turned our fishing community upside down. Calcasieu Pass LNG has decimated our fishing industry, and we won’t recover if CP2 LNG is built next to it. FERC made a bad decision last month when they approved CP2’s permits, but it’s not too late. The Commissioners should grant this rehearing and fully consider the impacts it has on our community’s health, environment, and our fishing culture.”

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

“The approval of the CP2 LNG project is a clear indication that FERC serving the interests of powerful industry actors rather than protecting vulnerable communities and upholding the public interest. FERC must reconsider its approval of the CP2 LNG project and take meaningful steps to prevent further irreversible damage to Cameron Parish, its residents, and commercial fishermen. Only then can it begin to fulfill its mandate to serve the public interest.”