Natural gas facility being built in Plaquemines Parish has residents concerned - WDSU New Orleans

Plaquemines Parish natural gas pipeline concerns

Natural gas facility being built in Plaquemines Parish has residents concerned

Plant will be most expensive in the world, and employ 400

There are major concerns over what is being touted as the largest and most expensive liquefied natural gas plant in the country.

It is currently being built less than 30 miles from downtown New Orleans, near Myrtle Grove in Plaquemines Parish.

The price tag is more than $21 billion dollars.

It will be the most expensive plant ever built in this part of the world.

It's the largest and most expensive construction project in the history of Plaquemines Parish.

Venture Global's liquefied natural gas plant is well on the way to completion.

Some of the state's largest environmental watchdog agencies and activists have taken notice.

"What are your concerns with venture global?" asked WDSU's Travers Mackel.

"How many days do you have? The list is limitless," said Anne Rolfes, the executive director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.

"There's just too many to list," said Naomi Yoder, with Healthy Gulf.

Even renowned environmentalist Wilma Subra, who used to chair the EPA's environmental justice council, weighed in.

"The people from New Orleans never really go down that far and have no idea what is going on," said Subra.

The construction of the $21 billion plant will ultimately end with the shipment of liquefied natural gas all over the world.

Pipelines from across the south will send natural gas to the facility, less than 40 minutes from Downtown New Orleans.

It will then be turned into a liquid, making it lighter and easier to be transported — by cargo ship — to places pipelines do not reach.

It is a profitable business model, but there are safety concerns.

"Is it potentially dangerous?" asked Mackel.

"Yes, yes," said Subra.

"Everybody that I've told about it, they're surprised — they don't know, and they are surprised this is happening just down the river," said Yoder.

Those concerns grow out of an explosion last summer at a liquified natural gas site in Texas.

"I see your sign right here, 'Clean air, justice sustainability.' Does this provide any of that?" asked Mackel. "Absolutely not. It's honestly mind-boggling why this is going forward," said Rolfes.

A report by a watchdog agency, Natural Resources Defense Council, said in part: "Most of these facilities are being built to process and ship gas abroad—at the cost of the health, safety, and well-being of local communities."

People living near the site also have strong opinions.

"I don't think that it's a good idea ... it's gonna be too hazardous, it may be good for the economy — but it's not good for the people," said Keith May.

May has lived in Lake Hermitage for more than 20 years.

His home is 200 yards from the plant.

"Somebody may make money off it, but it ain't gonna be us," said May.

Venture Global says that statement from May is not entirely true.

The company is employing almost 6,000 for round-the-clock construction.

When it opens, WDSU was told the plant will staff more than 400 full-time workers.

Virginia-based Venture Global is also working with parish leaders, starting a training program called Will to Skill.

"Venture Global has changed my sons' lives drastically," said Charlete Johnson-Burke.

She has two sons who went through the training.

"Now they're off, doing what they went to school for — making money," said Johnson-Burke.

A spokesperson for Venture Global denied our requests for an interview but issued the following statement:

"Venture Global is committed to being a good neighbor and giving back to and investing in the communities where we operate. We are proud to have built strong and trusted partnerships with the Plaquemines Parish community since 2015, engaging in a proactive and continuous dialogue with local citizens, elected officials, and other stakeholders. According to Louisiana Economic Development, our project will also support millions of dollars in new local revenue that will have widespread positive economic impact and improve lives in Plaquemines Parish."

The company also referred WDSU to parish and port leaders in Plaquemines, who approved the plant.

"I tell ya, I'm watching it closely, and if I ever see anything of concern, I'll be the first to raise my hand, but it's moving along real good," said Charles Tillotson, the executive director of the Port of Plaquemines.

The plant is set to be completed by 2025 and is expected to meet all state and federal regulations.

"It's all about your planning your safety and security, and I'm seeing Venture Global do all the right things. They are in front of all safety and environmental policies," said Tillotson.

Still — some are concerned — given the location, production, and potential risk of this multi-billion-dollar project.

"I can take a look at those two big tanks sitting right there, and if they get a leak or an explosion, that's not going to be good," said May.

Another big concern for these environmental groups is the location.

The part of Plaquemines Parish where the facility is being built took on water in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina and again in 2021 from Hurricane Ida.

"In Hurricane Ida, aerial pictures show this site was underwater. It is a flood-prone area," said Rolf.

In fact, this recent study done for the Sierra Club by Ivor Van Heerden, who used to run the LSU Hurricane Center, says, "There is a high probability that the lng site will be flooded by a hurricane in the foreseeable future."

"I mean, come on, who builds a football stadium-sized, industrial, flammable complex on our fragile coast?" said Rolfes.

"It's no secret it's outside the levee protection system, but again — it goes back to the way Venture Global is approaching improving the environment," said Tillotson.

"My conversations with Venture Global were, 'What are you going to do?' And they showed me this flood wall they are building around the facility — so they are prepared for any type of flood event," said Stuart Guey, the Plaquemines Parish Council Chairman.

Some feel it's still a major risk.

In a written statement, Venture Global says:

"Our company is passionate about the significant role we play in improving the global climate by replacing coal with lower carbon natural gas. We are also proud of our strong record of compliance with our environmental permits and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements."