According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States is now the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), having tripled its production in the past six years.
Environmentalists say this runs counter to the Biden administration’s goals of weaning the U.S. away from fossil fuels to prevent future disasters from climate change.
LNG is natural gas that is supercooled into a liquid so that it can be loaded into tankers and shipped abroad. Although natural gas is considered cleaner than coal, it produces both carbon dioxide and methane, causing the planet to warm rapidly.
John Allaire’s Louisiana estate is just a mile away from a liquefied natural gas export terminal called Calcasieu Pass.
Allaire, a former oil industry engineer, documents what’s known as “flaring,” when the plant burns off excess gas. He worries not only about breathing potentially toxic air, but also about sending America’s natural resources to Europe and Asia.
“There’s no point,” he said. “It’s about making money, you know, making as much money as possible.”
He said he would think differently if it remained a domestic matter.
The factory near Allaire is owned by Venture Global. It denied CBS News’ request for an interview but said in a statement that it has “made dramatic progress in minimizing flaring” and that “the world needs more energy, especially natural gas.”
It is one of eight operational LNG export terminals in the US. Seven more are under construction. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. capacity has more than tripled since 2018 and is expected to double again by 2030.
Climate activists are concerned about the unprecedented boom, calling the new LNG plants ‘carbon bombs’.
CBS News spoke with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granhom earlier this year after the White House paused in approving new LNG exports. She said the administration is looking at environmental impacts, rising domestic natural gas prices and U.S. energy security.
“Are we going to continue to authorize and authorize? Or should we take a step back and say, “What does all this do?” Granhom said earlier.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is one of 16 attorneys general suing the Biden administration over the pause. She believes President Biden is trying to appeal to climate voters by saying there is no legal basis for the pause. She added that she is not concerned about the potential climate impact.
“Because that’s not my job. My job is to hold them accountable under the law,” she said.
Allair is also fighting another LNG plant that would be built right next to its site. He said the companies that make billions selling gas abroad need to think about more than just money.
“We must preserve our natural resources for ourselves,” he said.
Ben Tracy
