In a move signaling the Biden administration's commitment to addressing climate change, the decision on approving Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2), one of the world's largest gas export hubs, has been reportedly put on hold. This decision comes amidst concerns from climate experts who argue that approving the project would create a "carbon mega bomb".

CP2, which would be located near the rapidly eroding Louisiana shoreline, is set to become the largest gas export terminal in the United States. It is part of a significant expansion of new gas infrastructure along the Gulf of Mexico. However, the project's future and that of 16 other proposed terminals now face uncertainty, as the energy department has been requested to conduct a broader evaluation of CP2's impact on climate change, economy, and national security.

The news of the pause comes at a time when President Biden, who recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark climate legislation in August 2022, has faced criticism from climate activists due to record-breaking oil and gas production in the United States. Despite this, Biden's push for funding boosts for electric vehicles has raised hopes for a cleaner energy future.

The potential environmental impact of CP2 has been a source of controversy. Last year, a climate campaigner, Jeremy Symons, described it as a "carbon mega bomb," stating that the project's scale is almost unimaginable and would lock the nation into fossil fuel dependency for the next three decades. He warned that merely shifting from coal to gas would not solve the climate crisis.

According to experts, the CP2 project could create emissions that are 20 times greater than the controversial Willow oil project in Alaska, which was approved by the Biden administration amid significant opposition from Democrats, Indigenous tribes, and climate advocates.

CP2, once operational, plans to ship up to 24 million tons of liquified natural gas (LNG) annually. The company behind the project, Venture Global, had hoped to commence construction by 2026, with a permit to operate until 2050. This timeline aligns with President Biden's goal for the United States to reach net-zero emissions by that year.

Venture Global has repeatedly defended its project against criticism from climate experts, claiming that opposing such energy infrastructure would lead to increased coal usage and hinder global emissions reduction efforts.

If the reports of the decision pause are accurate, President Biden's move could be seen as a significant step towards limiting the expansion of dirty energy and prioritizing sustainable alternatives, according to climate campaigner Bill McKibben. As the evaluation of CP2's impact on climate change, economy, and national security expands, the fate of not just this project, but also other proposed terminals, hangs in the balance.