Gas sites
opposed
Environmental justice: What is it and does it apply to our RGV area? Environmental justice according to the U.S. Department of Energy is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Fair treatment means that no population bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal and commercial operations or from the execution of federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies.
So, what is happening with the two liquefied natural gas export terminals proposed at the Brownsville Navigation District near South Padre Island? What has happened since the local towns of Laguna Vista, SPI, Port Isabel and more formally stated their objections to the then-proposed three LNG terminals to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission? Annova LNG has since dropped out.
In viewing the latest letters from our Senator John Cornyn to the FERC, he inquired, why the holdup of the LNGs? As we remember from his past, patience is not an attribute of the senator. Remember Tulia, Texas?
The reply from FERC Chairman Richard Glick included citing that there are several proceedings under review that include Rio Grande LNG, its pipelines and carbon capture/storage amendments. In addition, and of vital importance to our area’s health and well-being, is the U.S. Court of Appeals of D.C. request to explain two terms, climate change and environmental justice, from an appeal by Vecinos Para el Bienestar de la Comunidad Costera, which also follows multiple court decisions for agencies to stop cutting corners on FERC’s decision making related to natural gas and LNG infrastructure projects.
Additional information on environmental justice is now being required by FERC from the current LNG facilities to update and comply.
Fossil fuels will supply jobs, but they are dangerous, dirty jobs whose harmful refining and transporting pollutants will endanger our local populations who are already poor and under/uninsured. And if you think the BND is a long way away and you don’t visit SPI or that area, the wind still predominantly blows south-southeasterly, so you are also affected — and will be every day the wind blows in your direction.
Diane Teter
Edinburg
