Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to your recent editorial criticizing the decision of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to issue a consistency determination for ExxonMobil’s Pearl Crossing Liquefied Natural Gas terminal proposed to be located more than 35 miles off Louisiana’s coast. This decision was based on factors outlined in Louisiana’s coastal zone management program. The Department of Natural Resources concluded that the Pearl Crossing LNG project was generally consistent with state management plans, but that concerns remained about the impacts to marine life of the open-loop system proposed to be used by the terminal.

The Department of Natural Resources consistency determination was made under a separate regulatory framework and based on more limited criteria than I will use to determine if I approve or disapprove of the licensing of any particular offshore LNG terminal. My powers under the federal Deep Water Port Act give me broad discretion to prevent the licensing of any offshore LNG terminals that are not in the best interest of Louisiana.

During the consistency review process, staff members at the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were in communication with senior members of my staff to be certain that the consistency review determination would not compromise our opposition to open loop systems. After careful review of the relevant law, they determined that the Department of Natural Resources consistency determination would in no way compromise my ability to veto LNG terminals in federal waters.

Let me reiterate, that I remain firmly opposed to open-loop systems absent proof that their operation will not adversely impact the surrounding ecosystem. I am pleased that the governors of Mississippi and Alabama have followed my lead in announcing their opposition to open loop systems and hope that increasing attention to this issue will bring about some positive solutions.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Governor