Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) have called for a halt in the approval process for deepwater oil export terminals, urging the Biden administration to rethink its approach.
In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), the lawmakers proposed that the approval criteria for these terminals be revised to incorporate factors such as public health, environmental justice, and climate change impacts.
Currently, MARAD’s guidelines evaluate whether proposed terminals align with national security, policy goals, energy needs, and environmental quality. Markey and Grijalva, however, argue that these criteria are too narrow.
Markey and Grijalva demand new criteria for oil terminal projects to address climate impacts
They referenced MARAD’s November 2022 approval of the Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT) off the Texas coast, which, if fully operational, could process up to 2 million barrels daily and emit a total of 232 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Despite this, three additional terminal applications remain under review, with only one terminal currently active.
The senators criticized MARAD for its consistent approval record and questioned whether these decisions truly align with national interests. They also pointed to a 2021 executive order from President Biden that directs federal agencies to align with public health and environmental goals.
Markey and Grijalva advocated for a broader interpretation of national interest that includes considerations for environmental justice, climate, and public health. They argued that updating MARAD’s criteria to reflect these concerns would align with Biden’s executive order and ensure that new projects do not negate the benefits of climate investments made through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
