LNG Explosion in Louisiana

CAMERON PARISH, Louisiana — Yesterday, Cameron Parish was rocked by an explosion along the Delfin LNG pipeline near Holly Beach and Johnson Bayou that has left one person injured, a stark reminder of the dangers of fossil fuel infrastructure.

In response, the Sierra Club and For a Better Bayou released the following statement:

“This explosion and the fire it started shows what communities like Cameron Parish already know — fossil fuel projects like Delfin LNG are dangerous neighbors and we cannot keep gambling with our communities’ safety and health,” said Roddy Hughes, Campaign Organizing Strategist for the Sierra Club. “The Trump administration fast-tracked this project with no review of serious environmental risks. In the midst of an affordability crisis across the nation, we cannot afford to keep dangerous projects like Delfin LNG online that not only exacerbate rising energy costs on everyday Americans, but pose deadly explosion risks to the communities placed in the blast zone by corporate interests.”

“While I’m relieved that the operator’s injuries were minor and no off-site impacts have been reported, the Delfin LNG explosion incident raises serious concerns about safety protocols and emergency preparedness,” said Renee R. Carthan, Community Organizer with For a Better Bayou. “I urge state and local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion. We must ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Our community deserves to feel safe and informed, especially when it comes to developments that have the potential to impact our health and environment. After the community’s request for transparency have been met, this incident should spur strong oversight and a renewed commitment to coastal preservation.”

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.