Hurricanes and coastal energy development are a dangerous combination

As Louisiana digs out from yet another devastating hurricane, it’s important to focus on the way that federal action can either help or harm the residents of our region. The gas industry wants to add another 19 new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals in Louisiana. The industry is looking to expand in Texas as well, which is also in the hurricane zone.

These terminals can’t be built unless they are approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), an obscure but powerful federal agency, which is readily awaiting a new nomination from President Biden. FERC and the president must protect Louisiana and Texas residents by making sure that the terminals are never built. 

I was commander of Joint Task Force Katrina in 2005. Looking back, it’s clear Katrina was an urgent warning that ever-stronger hurricanes place the Gulf Coast at untenable risk. Although we didn’t need another warning, Hurricane Ida reminded us of something we already knew. Hurricanes just don’t mix well with gigantic oil, gas and petrochemical facilities.

Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, La. With 150 miles per hour winds, it was one of the most intense hurricanes ever to strike the state. Now, 2,000 reported incidents of water pollution — including oil and chemical spills later — communities are paying the price. 

LNG terminals can cause catastrophic fires. The major component of gas, methane, is associated with a wide array of serious health impacts. It is also a potent climate change pollutant.

Methane escapes from gas infrastructure throughout the supply chain, all the way from the wellhead to the point at which the gas is actually used. Industry uses jargon terms for these escapes, such as “flaring,” “venting” and “fugitive emissions.” This escaping methane, whatever it is called, creates both human health hazards and risks of catastrophic explosions. We can’t afford either along the Gulf Coast. 

Unfortunately, in the past, FERC has often acted as a rubber stamp for destructive facilities. The LNG industry seems to be banking on having the commission continue to play this role. However, FERC and Biden now have the opportunity to shift course and change the trajectory of this once destructive commission into a climate and justice champion.

It might have been one thing for FERC to do the gas industry’s bidding during the previous administration. That’s what we expect the federal government to do when it is run by those who don’t care about exposing Americans to toxic emissions and don’t care about climate change.   

But now, things ought to start being very different.

Those of us who live in Louisiana and Texas know all too well that while everyone’s health can be greatly damaged by polluting industries, Black and brown communities are typically on the frontline. During the election campaign, Biden demonstrated a tremendous sensitivity to the threat that exposure to pollution poses to our communities. I hope that in the Biden era, FERC will demonstrate this same sensitivity. 

As we pick up the pieces following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Ida, it’s clearer than ever FERC and the president need to champion environmental justice. I hope that a commission with so much power over the health of residents of Louisiana and Texas will shift course under a president who promised to be sensitive to our concerns. 

Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré (Ret.) served as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina in 2005, a joint operation between the United States Department of Defense and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.