Louisiana's rapid LNG buildout hits stumbling block with judge's ruling, a first of its kind

A first-of-its-kind ruling by a Louisiana judge has interrupted the state's rapid buildout of its LNG industry , raising questions over whether regulators will have to look more closely at the facilities' environmental impacts before granting permits.

The recent decision struck down a key permit for a liquefied natural gas plant over failing to consider the impacts of climate change, effectively halting construction for the multibillion-dollar project in Cameron Parish.

Environmental and community groups applauded the decision as an incremental win in an ongoing fight against the LNG export expansion in Southwest Louisiana, which they stress will damage the coast and emit polluting fossil fuels. State officials, meanwhile, vowed to appeal the ruling and praised the federal government f