In a recent court hearing, judges scrutinized the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's evaluation of climate and air quality impacts of liquefied natural gas export terminals.
Niina H. Farah reports for E&E News.
In short:
- Judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals expressed concern about FERC's assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and air quality impacts from LNG projects.
- The discussion focused on the environmental challenges against FERC's approval of the Commonwealth LNG project in Louisiana.
- The court previously urged FERC to enhance its analysis of greenhouse gas emissions, questioning the agency's methodology and decision-making process.
Key quote:
“I think the bottom line is there is no line that you would think greenhouse gas emissions are significant.”
— Judge Florence Pan
Why this matters:
This case underscores the growing judicial scrutiny over energy projects' environmental impacts, particularly in the context of national efforts to address climate change. It highlights the importance of rigorous environmental assessments in major federal actions, emphasizing the balance between energy development and environmental stewardship.
LNG production comes with a price, Gulf Coast communities warn.
