NEW ORLEANS — What would be the nation’s largest export terminal for liquefied natural gas won approval from a federal commission Thursday, although when the Louisiana project will be completed remains unclear in light of a Biden administration delay announced this year on such projects.

Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass 2 southwestern Louisiana project, often referred to as CP2, was approved with little discussion by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during a livestreamed meeting. However, the project, which would be Venture Global’s second such facility in the area, still needs Department of Energy approval, and its immediate prospects are uncertain, given the administration’s January pause.

That pause aligned President Joe Biden with environmentalists who fear the huge increase in exports, in the form of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, is locking in potentially catastrophic planet-warming emissions.

Louisiana’s two Republican U.S. senators, officials from other energy producing states and industry officials have derided the pause as shortsighted and a boon to U.S. adversaries that produce energy, including Iran and Russia. But, some residents and environmentalists in the state — dependent on oil and gas dollars but also vulnerable to the effects of climate change — are wary of more LNG development.

Venture Global issued a statement praising the regulatory commission’s approval. “This project will be critical to global energy security and supporting the energy transition, as well as provide jobs and economic growth across Louisiana and the United States,” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global LNG.

The commission’s approval brings new pressure on Biden from environmentalists.

“The temporary pause on LNG export permitting was a good first step; now President Biden must make the pause permanent and do whatever is necessary to clamp down on fossil fuels throughout the country,” the group Food & Water Watch said in an emailed statement critical of the regulatory commission’s decision.

“New LNG export terminals are simply not compatible with a healthy, livable future,” said a statement from the environmental group Evergreen Action.

Outgoing Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member Allison Clements spoke against the projects Thursday morning. “These projects will have enormous emissions of greenhouse gases, equivalent to putting more than 1.8 million new gas-fueled cars on the road each year. The order does not meaningfully assess those emissions,” Clements said.

Commission Chair Willie Phillips said after the meeting that the commission had to maintain “a delicate balance” between the environmental concerns of communities and following the law governing project approval.

“When matters are complete, when our review is final, we give those matters a vote. And this matter is consistent with the standard that we’ve set for every other project,” Phillips said when asked about critics’ claims that the commission gave “rubber stamp” approval to the project.

He said the commission’s actions, in requiring about 130 conditions on the CP2 project, go “above and beyond” what the panel is required to do under the National Environmental Policy Act, a bedrock environmental law that requires extensive study and public input before major environmental projects can be approved.

Information for this article was contributed by Matthew Daly of The Associated Press.

Louisiana Tech basketball has another player in the NBA.

The Bulldogs’ Isaiah Crawford was signed by the Sacramento Kings as an undrafted free agent following the NBA draft.

Crawford leaves Ruston as one of the most decorated players in recent program history, and could contribute to the Kings — if he can stay healthy.

What Isaiah Crawford brings to the 2024 NBA Draft

Crawford has been known throughout his career for his defense. It peaked during his final season in 2023-24, when he averaged 2.1 steals and 1.7 blocks per game on his way to being named Conference USA’s Defensive Player of the Year.

He’s not too shabby on offense either, with his scoring average going up every year of his college career except for 2021-22, when he was limited to just three games.

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Isaiah Crawford’s concerns in 2024 NBA Draft

However, Crawford has also had trouble staying on the court. In January 2020, he tore his ACL midway through his freshman season, missing the rest of the year while recovering.

Then, Crawford’s redshirt sophomore season came to an end in November 2021, when he tore his ACL in the same knee. It’s reasonable for the Kings to take things slower than they usually would given Crawford’s history.

For the first time in two years and the third time overall, Texas will face Louisiana Monroe in what could be another day at practice for the Longhorns if the Warhawks admit their defeat from the get-go.

Texas powered over ULM in both of their previous meetings, having an advantage of nearly 40 points in both games. The Longhorns stand as one of the most difficult opponents for the Warhawks, as the ULM football schedule ranks fourth from last in college football toughness, while Texas ranks within the top three.

However, a spotlight for ULM has been put on its new head coach Bryant Vincent, and the talent he newly signed back in February. Vincent carries vast coaching experience in offense, and his expertise will be necessary in order for the Warhawks to see a higher-scoring game this time around.

This year will mark Vincent’s debut for the team and his first time in Austin, where the intimidating atmosphere of Darell K. Royal Stadium awaits. But with returning rushing yards leader Hunter Smith in his rotation, who is familiar with the environment after playing against Texas in 2022, Vincent won’t be left completely in the dark.

Texas is looking to be the obvious favorite for this matchup, but anything can happen in college football. Here are the keys for each team in order to secure a win in week 4.

…it shows up.

The Longhorns are overqualified for the job at hand, but that should be even more of a reason to go in for another dominating win rather than take it as an excuse to be sloppy and relaxed on the field. Head coach Steve Sarkisian shouldn’t automatically see the Warhawks as an “easy” opponent and should take this opportunity to show what his team is capable of in all areas of the game.

Another home-field advantage for Texas will also be helpful in making sure that the Longhorns stay in their element and stay focused, so fans should still show up and make the stadium loud and proud.

…fate intervenes for the Warhawks.

ULM is going to have to rebuild with the introduction of Vincent at the helm, and it could take years for the Warhawks to make an impression in the college football world. Heavy preparation will be necessary just to go up against Texas alone, and it’s unlikely that Vincent will turn around his program in just a few months.

But a win for the Warhawks is still possible if they put their best players on the field, such as Smith, Carl Glass Jr., and potential quarterback Hunter Herring. Texas would also have to make some notable errors on both offense and defense for ULM to get the lead or the win.

A victory for ULM would be historic in all aspects, while a loss for Texas would leave a devastating situation for a top tier team.