Baton Rouge: The Gulf Coast state of Louisiana, home to the largest liquified natural gas (LNG) export facility in the United States, has recently rebranded LNG as “green” energy. This move positions Louisiana as the fourth Republican-majority state to adopt this stance, following Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee. The shift comes as former President Donald Trump rolled back renewable energy subsidies and incentives, favoring oil and gas industries.
According to Deutsche Welle, the United States is the world’s leading exporter of LNG, with significant shipments directed to Europe since 2022, following the reduction of Russian gas supplies due to the invasion of Ukraine. Despite its rebranding efforts, LNG comprises over 90% methane, a greenhouse gas significantly more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat over a 20-year period.
Methane’s atmospheric presence, though shorter-lived than CO2, has a profound impact on climate change, being responsible for an estimated 25-30% of global warming since industrialization began. A 2024 study highlights that LNG’s greenhouse gas footprint is 33% larger than that of coal over a 20-year span, primarily due to methane leakage and the energy-intensive nature of its production and transportation processes.
The production of LNG in the U.S. involves hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a method criticized for its environmental impact, including water and air pollution. The liquified state of the gas allows for more efficient storage and transport, making it a viable option for countries lacking direct pipeline access, such as many in Europe. However, Russian gas imports to Europe increased by 18% in 2024, despite commitments to phase them out by 2027.
LNG has often been promoted as a transitional fuel towards a fossil-free future due to its lower carbon emissions compared to coal. However, the methane emissions from its production and the energy required for its processing challenge its designation as a clean energy source. As coal plants close, the significant role of methane as a greenhouse gas pollutant poses a challenge to the sustainability of LNG as a “green” alternative.
Robert Howarth, a professor at Cornell University, asserts that LNG’s substantial greenhouse gas footprint disqualifies it from a climate-neutral energy future, emphasizing that methane may account for up to 50% of recent temperature increases. Experts also caution that LNG is costly, potentially five times more expensive than renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Despite the push from states like Louisiana to label LNG as climate-friendly, the environmental implications and financial costs raise questions about its place in a sustainable energy future. As global temperatures continue to rise, the urgency to reduce reliance on high-footprint energy sources grows, with experts like Howarth cautioning against LNG’s role in achieving climate goals.