Sierra Club v. Louisiana Department of Conservation & Energy

Three environmental organizations challenged the reissuance by the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy’s Office of Coastal Management (OCM) of a Coastal Use Permit for construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal on the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Cameron Parish. A Louisiana trial court vacated the previously issued Coastal Use Permit in October 2025, finding that OCM violated its regulations, the Louisiana Constitution, and the coastal zone management plan by failing to adequately consider environmental and climate change impacts. In November 2025, OCM published a revised basis of decision and reissued the permit. The organizations alleged that OCM failed to provide notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing the permit. The organizations also alleged that the revised basis of decision did not correct the errors identified by the court, including by failing to consider the project’s cumulative climate change impacts.