CALCASIEU PARISH, La. (KPLC) – A report claims the largest polluter among liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities is being built in Southwest Louisiana.
Woodside Energy says its Louisiana LNG project represents a $17.5 billion investment, is 24% complete, and has almost 1,800 workers on site. The company says the project could create thousands of jobs and bring billions in economic benefit.
“Calcasieu Parish stands to gain substantial tax revenues with the project stimulating up to $2.6 billion (net present value) — which can fund public services, infrastructure, and community development,” Woodside said in a statement.
Related coverage:
$17B LNG facility given green light in CalcasieuDriftwood LNG development to continue under new name, ownership
According to a report by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the facility is projected to emit more than 9.5 million tons of greenhouse gases each year. This would make it among the highest LNG emissions in the country.
Woodside says those claims are wrong, and the data is “relying on inconsistent comparisons and inflated assumptions that don’t reflect like-for-like project scopes or real-world performance.”
They say their facility is designed to “outperform conventional LNG facilities” because of its technologically advanced system, which uses less energy to cool and less field space to compress natural gas – meaning more output with less impact on the environment and greenhouse gas emissions.
In their words, “Louisiana LNG is smarter by design, delivering the same energy with a lower emissions profile.”
Environmental advocates argue LNG emissions don’t stop at the plant and can cause issues such as transportation emissions and mishaps similar to those at other facilities.
Meanwhile, Woodside claims its “streamlined infrastructure will further reduce the carbon footprint per unit of LNG produced, meaning more output with less environmental impact.”
Woodside says the project is expected to begin operations in 2029.
Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.