Venture Global’s CP2 Fracked Gas Terminal Threatens Gulf Coast Environment and Livelihoods

Cameron, LA - Yesterday, the Virginia-based fossil fuel corporation Venture Global filed a formal application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for CP2 LNG, a fracked gas export terminal proposed for construction in Cameron, Louisiana, just south of Lake Charles. If built, CP2 LNG would be built directly next to Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass LNG, which is already under construction. 

Venture Global is also behind the Delta LNG and Plaquemines LNG projects. Plaquemines LNG, Delta LNG, or CP2 LNG have yet to reach a final investment decision as the fracked gas economy continues to falter and prove to be unreliable.

Both CP2 LNG and Calcasieu Pass LNG would be located directly on the water-front of the Gulf Coast in an area that has recently experienced 17 foot storm surges. Plaquemines LNG would be built in Plaquemines Parish, a majority working- class and Black and Indigenous area that’s roughly 3 feet above sea level and is extremely vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. 

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards joined Venture Global in their announcement of CP2 LNG, touting the project as an important economic driver for Louisiana. The Governor has embraced an “all of the above” strategy to lowering carbon emissions, and embraced fracked gas, even though methane is a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO2. Fracked gas exports will not put Louisiana any closer to achieving the state’s climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. 

“The fracked gas market is a total boom and bust business that damages our environment. CP2 and other fracked gas exports will drive up domestic and global methane emissions, which contributes heavily to climate change. This has severe local impacts as stronger and more frequent hurricanes disrupt our lives and threaten our coastlines, our shrimping and fishing, and our way of life. Doubling down on fossil fuels will only continue to enhance and expedite the climate crisis, and carbon capture and sequestration is a false narrative and a totally unviable solution.” said James Hiatt, organizer with Louisiana Bucket Brigade. “Venture Global’s gas export projects in Louisiana will not only drive up people’s utility costs, the jobs that industry says it will create are dangerous and temporary. We need to be divesting from the global fossil fuel economy and invest in local, sustainable jobs in renewable energy. These are the jobs that people can rely on while also reaching climate goals and community resiliency.”

“Cameron Parish and Calcasieu Parish are still recovering from two hurricanes, floods, a deep freeze, and a cluster of tornadoes,all of which happened in a span of just 14 months. We are ground zero for climate change, yet we see such inadequate relief and aid from severe weather events.. Then these huge corporations want to come in and get tax breaks to build next to existing highly polluting gas infrastructure near struggling and low-income communities, “ said Roishetta Ozane, organizer with Healthy Gulf and the Vessel Project. “What is Venture Global actually doing for us and our communities? We need relief and support, instead they damage our environment, pollute our neighborhoods, and drive us away from our homes.”