CAMERON, LA – Residents near Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass (CP) gas export facility have documented excessive flaring over the last few weeks, signaling ongoing operational problems at the facility.
“As a landowner and resident of Cameron Parish LA it is discouraging to see Venture Global CP flaring night and day this week.” said John Allaire, a retired environmental engineer who worked in the oil and gas industry for over three decades and whose property is across the river from CP. “It is impossible to star gaze as we have in the past with a 50′ to 80′ flame lighting up the entire horizon. It is duck hunting season here in Southwest Louisiana, and the birds are scarce as the light and the noise from the plant’s supposed ‘clean energy operations’ pollute the environment with massive air emissions and flares. ”
Venture Global, a company that is vigorously lobbying against the pause on gas export facilities and recently requested permit increases in air pollution emissions, has not communicated potential risks to residents or reported issues via official channels despite continuous high flames accompanied by smoke coming from its facility. Venture Global – referred to as Vulture Global by locals – has had ongoing accidents and violations since its operations began, with over 2,000 permit violations in its first year of operation. The company is only permitted for 60 hours of flaring per year.
In April of this year, residents expressed concerns when they reported and documented flaring coming from the facility for over 95 hours straight. The company’s recurring inability to control flaring at the facility is associated with operational problems.
“The ongoing flaring is evidence of serious problems,” said Anne Rolfes, Louisiana Bucket Brigade executive director. “Venture Global is demonstrating why it should not be allowed to expand operations, increase permitting, or build any additional facilities in Louisiana. This most recent problem has been going on for two solid weeks. Something is seriously wrong.”
Venture Global has applied to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to increase its permit limits. The company has plans to build a second facility in Cameron Parish. A third terminal – Plaquemines LNG – is currently under construction in Plaquemines Parish.
Repeated operational issues and lack of transparency are nothing new for Venture Global’s CP facility. Since beginning its operations, the facility has had countless problems, as documented in its reporting to the Department of Environmental Quality. In the first half of 2023, the plant had operational problems on at least 63% of days. The incidents have been compiled in a series of reports available on the Louisiana Bucket Brigade website.
About Louisiana Bucket Brigade
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade collaborates with communities on the fenceline of polluting industry in Louisiana, engaging in grassroots action to hasten the transition from fossil fuels. Visit labucketbrigade.org for more information.
