This morning, President Biden announced that his administration would pause approvals for gas export terminals, and overhaul the approval process to include climate, economic, national security, and environmental justice factors in its public interest determination for export licenses.

In response, Travis Dardar, Southwest Louisiana indigenous fisherman, and Founder of Fishermen Involved in Sustaining our Heritage (FISH), John Allaire, retired environmental engineer with BP and Amoco and Cameron Parish resident, and Anne Rolfes, Director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, issued the following statements:

“Yes, this is a victory, and we’re glad to know that President Biden and Energy Secretary Granholm are finally listening to us and taking action to protect Louisiana fishermen. But, a pause can be unpaused anytime. We know firsthand how ruthless these gas export companies can be. They shoved these gas export terminals down our throats, destroying our fishing grounds, clogging the channel we use with their massive tankers, and constantly sending poisonous smoke into our air. If we want the next generation to be able to fish in Southwest Louisiana and feed America, then Biden and Granholm need to deny all gas export terminals, and let this sinking industry fall to the bottom of the sea,” said Travis Dardar, Southwest Louisiana indigenous fisherman, and Founder of Fishermen Involved in Sustaining our Heritage (FISH).

“The fishermen of south Louisiana are facing extinction from the gas export industry. We are happy about today’s ruling, which should be the first step toward phasing out this industry entirely. Gas exports from the coast of Louisiana are disastrous for our fishermen, our country and our climate,” said Anne Rolfes, Director, Louisiana Bucket Brigade.

“For those of us who live in the shadow of gas export terminals, and see their toxic flares night and day, today’s decision to pause gas export terminals and overhaul the review process is very welcome news. I hope that the announcement today signals an end to the Department of Energy’s continued approval of methane exports in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas.Continuing to approve methane exports directly contradicts the Department of Energy’s Mission Statement, and real change by the Biden Administration is needed to ensure that U.S. consumers are protected from the economic, environmental, and security risks of LNG exports,” said John Allaire, retired environmental engineer with BP and Amoco and Cameron Parish resident.

Fishermen, shrimpers and residents of Cameron Parish have been mobilizing to halt the gas export terminal onslaught, including organizing a flotilla of shrimp boats outside of the LNG Summit of the Americas last year, and disrupting the Americas Energy Summit last week.

The terminals not only destroy once abundant fishing grounds, the massive tankers also prevent shrimping and fishing boats from accessing the Calcasieu River. In addition to threatening the seafood industry, gas export terminals also make surrounding areas more vulnerable to flooding during major hurricanes. The terminals eat away at natural barriers such as cheniere plains and sandbars, and their massive walls only push the storm surge into nearby communities.

Reports released by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade also demonstrate that gas export terminals are underreporting violations at their facility. One terminal, Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass, had over 2,000 permit deviations in its first year of operations. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality issued Venture Global a compliance order for these deviations.

In addition to the three operational gas export terminals, and three others under construction, the oil and gas industry is trying to build or expand 10 more gas export terminals in Louisiana, with a larger onslaught along the Gulf Coast.

About Louisiana Bucket Brigade

The Louisiana Bucket Brigade collaborates with communities on the fenceline of polluting industry in Louisiana. We engage in grassroots action to hasten the transition from fossil fuels. Visit labucketbrigade.org for more information.