Green groups sue Louisiana over Venture Global LNG permit exemption

WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (Reuters) – Three environmental teams have sued the Louisiana Division of Pure Sources for exempting Enterprise World LNG from needing an environmental allow to construct a liquefied pure fuel (LNG) terminal, the organizations mentioned on Wednesday.

The Deep South Middle for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ), Sierra Membership and Wholesome Gulf filed a petition final week for judicial evaluate in opposition to the Louisiana division after the regulators determined to exempt Enterprise World from acquiring a coastal use allow for growth of its LNG facility in Plaquemines, 35 miles (56 km) south of New Orleans. It was filed within the nineteenth district Louisiana State Court docket.

The teams say the plant’s development will destroy practically 400 acres (162 hectares) of wetlands that function a storm buffer for close by communities. With out adequate protections, a hurricane would launch air pollution into properties, companies, farmland and coastal water, subjecting predominantly Black and indigenous communities to the dangers, they mentioned.

“Enterprise World isn’t above the regulation that requires corporations to reduce hurt in a coastal zone,” mentioned Monique Harden, assistant director of regulation and public coverage at DSCEJ.

Enterprise World didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

The Enterprise World LNG terminal is considered one of 4 being inbuilt the US. LNG backers say the fuel can change coal, a gasoline that releases extra greenhouse gases when burned and provides customers an alternative choice to Russian fuel. Opponents say LNG amenities, drilling operations and transportation can leak methane, a robust greenhouse fuel.

Ivor van Heerden, a marine scientist, filed an affidavit on the case that mentioned design flaws within the terminal’s proposed storm wall pose substantial dangers of a levee failure and that the venture poses a threat of contaminants escaping from the ability throughout a significant hurricane.

The DNR “believes our employees acted in accordance with the relevant state regulation and regulatory steerage,” mentioned spokesperson Patrick Courreges.

Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Enhancing by Josie Kao

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