Gas export company Venture Global is poised to become a global leader in the production and transport of liquified methane gas (“LNG”), benefitting as the federal government has all but relinquished its responsibility to regulate the gas export industry. The Department of Energy has recently given the green light for the company to construct CP2, its second export terminal in southwest Louisiana, despite the same company already operating a facility in the immediate area, Calcasieu Pass, with a troubling record.

Today, members of the press learned of Venture Global’s track record at its Calcasieu Pass export terminal, as well as on what this infamous exporter of American methane gas has in store for Southwest Louisiana’s Cameron Parish. Calcasieu Pass had 2,000 permit violations in its first year of operations and had over 2,500 in 2023 alone, the most recent year for which complete monitoring data is available. The facility has also flared excessively since then, requiring the firm to obtain a substantial permit modification to bring it into compliance after repeatedly flaring in excess of the amount allowed under its original permit.

In addition to the numerous operational troubles at its existing facility, Venture Global presents a risk to insurers and the public alike as it builds its facilities in a region already beset by hurricanes. Fellow fossil fuel companies and its own shareholders have filed complaints, lawsuits and other actions against it alleging unethical business practices and breach of contract. At least one other international energy giant has declined to work with the company, citing a lack of trust. With the company’s share of the U.S. and global market on track to quickly expand, now is the time for increased government oversight and public scrutiny, not for Venture Global to continue its rapid expansion.

Director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade Anne Rolfes, today told reporters, “the record is clear: from the complaints from the general public to the suits and complaints filed by its fellow fossil fuel companies, Venture Global just isn’t a reliable actor that can be trusted to play by the rules.” Rolfes also detailed why the recent conditional approval granted to the company should alarm stakeholders and the general public alike: “the same company that has been unable to operate its first facility in the area without running afoul of the terms of its own original permit should not now be given a green light to become the dominant player in this market.”

John Allaire, neighbor to Calcasieu Pass and 40-year oil and gas industry veteran, described the constant harmful flaring he witnesses and records day and night from the Venture Global’s existing facility: “I can see 50, sometimes 100-foot tall flames burning from their flares at all hours of the day and night,” he began. “At night, the flares can be so massive I can read a book on my porch over a mile away.” John has maintained a detailed log of flaring events as well as a large archive of photos and videos of the flares. Based on his decades of experience, he offered the following analysis: “this level of consistent flaring far exceeds what the company is allowed per the terms of their original permit, and is likely a sign of significant operational problems.”

Finally, Ethan Nuss, Senior Energy Finance Campaigner at Rainforest Action Network, unveiled RAN’s strategy to encourage insurers to withdraw from the controversial proposed project that they see as both unnecessary and a risk to the surrounding community and the climate. “A large part of what makes methane terminals financially viable to build, other than long-term contracts, is the guarantee that comes from insurance coverage,” Nuss began. “We’re confident that if insurers knew the documented risks associated with Calcasieu Pass LNG, they would be much less inclined to underwrite an even larger proposed risk next door.”

RAN’s strategy of presenting the numerous risks of gas export terminals like CP2 to would-be insurers is perhaps one of our best chances at constraining the unbridled expansion of these terminals – especially those proposed by disreputable companies – in the absence of effective federal oversight. Export terminals, many of which are being constructed in Louisiana on extremely vulnerable coastal wetlands and in the direct path of Atlantic hurricanes, present a potentially unbearable risk of loss for insurance companies, the argument goes.

In addition to presenting the case to the insurance industry, panelists at today’s briefing outlined additional routes to slow the spread of dangerous terminals, including raising public awareness. Even in an area all too familiar with the oil and gas industry, like southern Louisiana, public awareness is still lacking when it comes to the harms and risks of gas export terminals.

Also discussed were ideas to turn a shifting tide in public sentiment into a more organized effort to resist the industry at the state and local level. In addition to federal approvals, proposed fossil fuel infrastructure projects are subject to the zoning, land use, and environmental protection requirements set by state and local authorities. Absent continued responsible oversight by federal authorities, the fight against additional gas export terminals will need to be brought to state and local officials, in addition to insurers and the public at large.

A recording of Tuesday’s briefing is available at https://bit.ly/GET0429.

ABOUT GAS EXPORTS TODAY: Gas Exports Today brings together analysts, researchers, advocates, and policymakers each month to discuss new research and analysis on gas exports. It’s proudly convened by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.

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