The U.S. Department of the Interior has transferred jurisdiction of a historic 3-acre parcel located at the mouth of the Calcasieu River to accommodate expansion of the Venture Global LNG export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.

Expansion Plans

Venture Global intends to add 10 million tons per year of production capacity at the Calcasieu Pass facility, boosting output to a total of 39 million tons per year, with a final investment decision in late 2027 and first production expected in late 2028.

The land officially becomes available for Venture Global to buy on Aug. 21, 10 days after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s order was published in the Federal Register. Once the mandatory NEPA Environmental Impact Statement review is complete, the BLM anticipates the direct land sale could be finalized later this year “for no less than its appraised fair market value.”

Concerns and Criticisms

Robyn Thigpen, executive director of the advocacy group Fishermen Involved in Saving Our Heritage, criticized the government’s decision, stating that the federal government is taking a piece of public land at the mouth of the Calcasieu River and positioning it for a noncompetitive direct sale to an affiliate of Venture Global.

Thigpen also expressed concerns about the government’s language regarding “cutting red tape” and “streamlining the environmental review process,” saying that these protections are in place for a reason and give the public an opportunity to ask questions about the impact of industrial development on the area.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.