Residences stand in front of a Venture Global LNG storage tank in Cameron, Louisiana. (Getty Images)
The United States is at a crossroads.
On one path, we continue to depend on fossil fuels, jeopardizing our climate, public health, and the survival of communities on the frontlines of environmental harm. Conversely, there is an opportunity to transition to a sustainable energy future that prioritizes people over profits, protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring a livable planet for future generations.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities are at the heart of this pivotal moment. These projects, often lauded by the fossil fuel industry as economic boons and energy solutions, threaten to lock the U.S. into decades of greenhouse gas emissions, perpetuating harm to the very communities already bearing the brunt of pollution and climate disasters.
As a Black mother and an environmental justice leader living in Sulphur, a frontline community, I witness the harsh truth every day: the expansion of liquefied natural gas exports puts my family at risk while prioritizing corporate profits over our health and safety. My story emulates the struggles faced by communities overburdened by industrial pollution and environmental degradation. Two-thirds of the operating facilities in the region are within a 30-mile radius of my home. Local water is undrinkable, wetlands are disappearing, and the pollution often exceeds legal limits, poisoning our community’s air.
My family’s experiences paint a bleak picture of these impacts. As a mother of six, three of my children have asthma, one has a severe skin condition, and my son has epilepsy —issues I believe are attributed directly to the pollution from nearby industrial facilities, including LNG terminals like Cameron LNG and Calcasieu Pass LNG. In conjunction with the expansion of these facilities collapsing in on our community, these health factors added to the daily pressures of our lives. Our communities can no longer bear the burden of living with the impacts of fossil fuel racism any longer.
With these challenges, frontline communities have shown extraordinary resilience and leadership in the fight against environmental harm. We deserve more than empty promises — our communities need concrete actions that reflect our sacrifices and aspirations.
While frontline communities suffer, the benefits of LNG exports do not reach the domestic population. Most LNG is shipped overseas, often to the highest bidder, leaving U.S. consumers with higher energy costs. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the completion of its study on the impacts of LNG, which has confirmed that these exports elevate energy prices, making it challenging for families to heat their homes and manage everyday costs. Claims of energy independence ring hollow when the reality is that we live in a system where prioritizing corporate profits over national and community needs, is more important.
The fight against LNG exports is about more than opposing a single project or industry. It is about envisioning a future where clean air, safe water, and a stable climate are universal rights rather than privileges. It empowers communities to reclaim their agency and demand accountability from those in power. It also ensures that the United States leads by example, showing the world that a just and sustainable energy transition is necessary and achievable.
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