Action Alerts

Protect Puerto Rico from this illegal liquified methane gas terminal

What's At Stake

Even a small spill of liquified methane gas (LMG), commonly known as the greenwashed term “liquified natural gas” or “LNG”, is extremely flammable and combustible.

Yet, the gas company NFEnergía operates an unpermitted LMG terminal (a facility that stores liquified natural gas) in the San Juan Harbor, one of Puerto Rico’s busiest ports. Puerto Ricans deserve a better energy system than what NFEnergía is currently giving them. Urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency that regulates energy infrastructure, to protect communities nearby from this unpermitted gas terminal.

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The Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels, and putting communities at risk in the process. NFEnergía’s operations are dangerously close to neighborhoods and food-supply warehouses. The LMG terminal is located less than half a mile from the Sabana community, where nearly 1,700 people live, and more than 150,000 live within three miles. It also sits beside key facilities that help supply food to the archipelago, including large grain storage sites and major distribution warehouses. An accident here could devastatenearby communities and seriously disrupt Puerto Rico’s food supply.

In 2020, NFEnergía built this LMG import terminal in San Juan without required federal permits. Although federal regulators later granted the company limited temporary approval to operate, NFEnergía has repeatedly violated those conditions: It’s used vessels far larger than allowed and has made operational changes without public review. Making the situation worse, NFE’s affiliate, Genera PR, has proposed increasing LNG consumption, which would intensify tanker traffic and public risk.

NFE is also facing serious financial issues, raising fears that it may cut corners on safety to reduce costs. Meanwhile, LMG and methane combustion release significant air pollutants and greenhouse gases, adding to local health risks and the climate crisis.

Puerto Rico deserves a safe, affordable, and reliable energy system, not an unauthorized, high-risk gas operation that keeps expanding without oversight.

Join us and urge FERC to withdraw their temporary authorization and demand the gas terminal to follow the law. This is necessary for ensuring public safety. Earthjustice fights for communities impacted by these kinds of harmful projects. With your help, we will do it again. Send a letter today.

LNG transport ship at the New Fortress Energy facility in San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico.
LNG transport ship at the New Fortress Energy facility in San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico. (Myrna Conty)

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