Department of Transportation Denies Special Permit for LNG Project

Note: A correction was made to this media statement as it should read "Energy Transport Solutions" and not "Energy Transfer Partners."

WASHINGTON D.C. (April 24, 2023) — According to the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of Transportation has denied Energy Transport Solutions a special permit to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail from Wyalusing, PA to Gibbstown, NJ. While this is a victory for halting the Gibbstown project, Energy Transport Solutions could still use a Trump-era rule to move forward with its project.

The following is reaction from Kimberly Ong, Senior Attorney at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"The future of the Gibbstown liquefied natural gas terminal is looking bleaker by the day. The denial of the Energy Transport Solutions special permit is a huge victory for halting this planet-warming, water-polluting, community-endangering fossil fuel project. Now the DOT just needs to put the nail in the coffin and restore the ban on LNG by rail once and for all.”

"Denial of the special permit is a necessary, but not sufficient, step to stop the construction of the Gibbstown LNG Terminal. Secretary Buttigieg must stand up for communities and the climate reinstating the ban on LNG by rail. Especially after the tragic disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, there is no excuse for Buttigieg to not suspend the federal LNG by rail rule immediately.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.