Environmentalist raises concerns about license issued to Delfin LNG

CAMERON PARISH, La. (KPLC) — The nation’s first offshore LNG export facility is one step closer to becoming a reality off the Cameron Parish coast, but some are raising concerns about a lack of input from the public.

Friday, the Maritime Administration issued a license to Delfin Midstream to own, construct, operate, and eventually decommission a deepwater port to export liquefied natural gas to the United States. The port facility would be about 40 miles off the coast of Cameron Parish.

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins supports the expansion of Delfin LNG. Higgins says it will help keep their promise to “unleash America’s energy potential.” However, Environmentalist James Hiatt feels many concerns were overlooked.

“We are in a place where there are hurricanes. What does it mean to have a floating ship offshore that liquifies this gas? Is this safe? Has this been addressed meaningfully?” Hiatt asked.

The Delfin LNG project was originally approved by the Department of Energy in 2017.

“There was a lot of input given in 2017. We followed up with them in the last several years as this has drawn on, but we haven’t had any input over the last year,” Hiatt said.

Hiatt feels there was little, if any, opportunity for citizens to provide their views on the project.

“The reality is that there has been no public consultation, and this is just being rammed down the throats. What do the fishermen need? What is the impact of using old, offshore pipelines to do this? All of these concerns have not been addressed in the new filing,” said Hiatt.

The Maritime Administration said, “Delfin LNG deepwater port license was issued in accordance with President Trump’s executive order called ‘Unleashing American Energy’ signed January 20th.”

Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” order included revoking a dozen previous executive orders, most on climate change, as well as reducing delays in the licensing process and other requirements.

7News reached out to Delfin but has not yet received a response.

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