A federal court in Washington, D.C., has invalidated the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's approval of two massive liquefied natural gas export projects in South Texas, citing significant environmental assessment flaws.
Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News and Berenice Garcia reports for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- The court ruled that FERC failed to properly evaluate the environmental justice, climate and air pollution impacts of the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects.
- FERC's inadequate review included an insufficient environmental justice analysis and incorrect air pollution data, leading to procedural violations.
- The projects, worth billions, face opposition from local communities and environmental groups but have support from local political leaders.
Key quote:
"We do not see how the Commission could justify its decision to skip those fundamental procedural steps."
— U.S. Court of Appeals for the Washington, D.C. Circuit
Why this matters:
The ruling underscores the importance of thorough environmental impact assessments for large-scale energy projects, emphasizing legal and community concerns. These projects could significantly impact local ecosystems, prompting a broader debate on balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.
