Climate activists are ramping up their efforts to halt proposed crude oil shipping facilities after successfully pressuring President Joe Biden to halt new US liquefied natural gas exports. The Sierra Club, representing nearly 20 environmental and community groups, sent a letter to the White House and the Department of Transportation urging them to stop approvals of deepwater oil export facilities.
The Department of Transportation recently approved a deepwater port off the coast of Texas proposed by Enterprise Products Partners, with the capacity to export 2 million barrels of oil a day. Three other oil export projects are currently under review by the Transportation Department.
The Sierra Club argues that these projects pose serious threats to the climate, vulnerable communities, ecosystems, public health, and national security. They claim that the approval of the Enterprise project, known as the Sea Port Oil Terminal, would result in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 90 new coal-fired plants over its 30-year license.
Activists are concerned that these oil export facilities will lock in decades of carbon emissions and exacerbate environmental injustices. They feel betrayed by the Biden administration’s decision to approve the petroleum terminal, especially after the halt on LNG export permits earlier this year.
While Biden faces pressure to limit crude and natural gas exports, he also faces pressure to keep gasoline prices low. Exporting more US crude into the international petroleum market can help lower crude prices and appease voters concerned about rising gas prices.
The battle between environmental activists and economic interests continues as the Biden administration navigates the complex issue of energy exports and climate change.