The Picayune | Advocate published a letter today by none other than Marion Freistadt. You probably know her as Penny. I bet she won’t mind us reproducing her letter here, as she was among the very first people to start work on building our coalition.
I remain astounded how ignorance of basic chemistry drives political nonsense. LNG is liquefied “natural” gas. It is simply methane, CH4, itself a major greenhouse gas, impacting the climate through uncontrolled leaks. As a fuel, when it is oxidized (burned or combusted) it produces CO2, the primary greenhouse gas.
While it is correct that, due to its chemical structure, methane is a more efficient fuel than oil or coal, nevertheless, it is NOT a pathway out of the climate crisis. Ultimately, peak greenhouse gas emissions must include stopping methane as a fuel. Phrases like “cleaner-burning natural gas” are simply greenwashing.
Unfortunately, geopolitics (read: energy blackmail by Russia) has put LNG back on the map as a fuel solution.
However, this must be seen as a short-term solution, rather than a massive, rapid ramping up of a dying industry.
Louisiana must transition away from the fossil fuel economy to a clean economy, as Europe and parts of China already are.
Solar, wind, batteries and grid improvements (perhaps boring) are the only genuine way out of this crisis. Louisiana must also focus on other strengths, such as our beautiful natural landscapes (ecotourism) or our incredibly talented human resources (art, music, technology).
The “methane forever” and “gold rush” language in the editorial does a disservice to readers and to all residents of the earth.
MARION FREISTADT
New Orleans
