After Local Activism and Public Citizen Lawsuit, Nopetro Energy Cancels LNG Export Facility
Community of Port St. Joe wins major victory over fossil fuels
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nopetro Energy, the company behind a controversial containerized liquified natural gas export facility in Port St. Joe, Florida, announced this week it would “no longer pursue the opportunity due to market conditions.” This announcement marks a major victory for the citizens of Port St. Joe who worked tirelessly to stop this project, and for Public Citizen, which lobbied federal regulators, pursued legal action, and supported the efforts of local community activists.
Since 2022, Port St. Joe residents and Public Citizen have hosted 3 community meetings challenging the proposed project. Beginning in May 2021, Public Citizen urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject Nopetro’s request to escape FERC oversight over the project and avoid comprehensive federal environmental impact review.
Nopetro argued that the 1,329 foot separation between the liquefaction terminal and shoreline made the facility exempt from FERC’s oversight. FERC agreed with Nopetro, and Public Citizen is challenging FERC’s refusal to exercise authority in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to ensure that Nopetro cannot take advantage of FERC’s decision in the future.
“Nopetro wanted to cut corners, and rush the project past the community with little to no notice” said Tyson Slocum, director of Public Citizen’s Energy Program. “Public Citizen has been privileged to work with so many dozens of incredible Port St. Joe residents who courageously took a stand for their community.””
“I was relieved to hear Nopetro decided not to pursue the construction of a liquified natural gas storage and export facility in Port St. Joe, Florida,” said Dannie Bolden, one of the leaders of the community’s opposition to the LNG project. “The coalition took action and spoke loudly and with one voice, ‘Just Say No To Nopetro.’ We were successful, but we must remain steadfast to ensure there or no LNG facility constructed along Florida’s Panhandle. The Gulf County Citizens Coalition For A Healthy Future’s successful opposition to the Nopetro facility is a direct result of the support we received from the North Port St Joe Project Area Coalition, Public Citizen, Earthjustice, RethinkEnergyFL, Earth Action, Food and Water Watch, As We Sow, Healthy Gulf and the ReGenesis Institute, and the Florida Center For Government Accountability in collaboration and partnership with numerous other climate change, environmental and social justice advocates and organizations.”
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