Plaquemines LNG Terminal Seeks Multi-Billion-Dollar Expansion Amid Environmental Concerns
A liquefied natural gas terminal near New Orleans is seeking a multi-billion-dollar expansion under an 'emergency' permitting process, sparking environmental concerns. The Plaquemines LNG terminal, operated by Venture Global, plans to expand from nearly 590 acres to approximately 1,220 acres, making it the largest LNG export terminal in North America. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has authorized fast-tracked permitting for the project, citing a 'national energy emergency' declared by President Trump last year.
The public comment period was reduced from 30 days to just 10 days, concluding on July 2. Environmental advocates worry that this expedited process may undermine assessments related to dredging, construction in aquatic zones, and the filling of vital marshlands in a region already grappling with severe land loss. The proposed $18 billion expansion could adversely impact up to 470 acres of wetlands and submerged lands in central Plaquemines Parish.
Over the past 60 years, Plaquemines Parish has lost over 250 square miles of land due to subsidence, rising sea levels, and erosion. The state's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority anticipates another 300 square miles, nearly half of the parish's remaining land, could vanish within the next 50 years.