Protecting biodiversity, minimizing impacts and restoring ecosystems

We apply intensive assessment, avoidance and mitigation measures to reduce any potential negative impacts we might have on local ecosystems and support voluntary biodiversity protection projects near our areas of operation. Some examples of these efforts include:

Sabine Pass LNG Terminal

When choosing a site for the construction of our Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, we selected already disturbed land that had previously been used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hold dredged material. This approach has helped limit any additional impact on local ecosystems. Furthermore, while building the terminal we created over 70 acres of new tidal wetlands, double the area that was actually impacted during construction. 

In 2021, during the dredging for construction of a third cargo berth at our Sabine Pass facility, we found a beneficial use for dredged material generated during the project, using it to rebuild the shoreline along Louisiana Point. This will help further expand local wetlands and protect existing wetlands from degradation. We also offset our land impacts by purchasing wetland credits at the Rockefeller Refuge, helping to enhance and expand a large and healthy existing wetland complex.

Shipping

We require all of our chartered shipping vessels to follow international standards focused on reducing impacts to marine ecosystems. This includes best practices for handling ballast water, wastewater management and spill prevention and control measures. Our chartered vessels are also compliant with MARPOL’s international agreements on preventing pollution from ships and the International Maritime Organization’s low-sulfur fuel requirements. Furthermore, our chartered fleet is among the cleanest in the industry, thanks to a range of efficiency and emissions reduction technologies. 

Biodiversity-related community engagement and investment

We communicate regularly with landowners and community members on our efforts to avoid and minimize land impacts. We also work with local communities near our Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi liquefaction facilities to identify coastal restoration and marine habitat projects that would benefit from our social investment. Examples of projects that we have invested in as a result include: 

Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program: We have donated over $346,000 throughout the past six years to this conservation nonprofit, including $100,000 in 2021, to restore coastal island ecosystems and enhance related education and recreation opportunities.

Port of Beaumont Waterway Safety Project: Contributed $100,000 to the Port of Beaumont and to support the replacement of key waterway safety equipment in the Sabine Pass waterway.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries water pumping system: Donated $30,000 to support the development of a pumping system that will help protect wetlands in future weather events. 

Restore America’s Estuaries: We donate $50,000 annually to this conservation non-profit to support community-based efforts, including a dune restoration project led by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana and the construction of oyster reefs using recycled shells in Harris County, Texas, led by the Galveston Bay Foundation.