The Real Community Story Behind CP2 LNG

But if there really was an issue, we needed to find out and fix it. We decided to go door-to-door in each of the 12 EJ areas to introduce ourselves and make sure they were not only aware of the project but had the opportunity to ask questions and share any concerns directly with the VG team. 

While it was a simple solution, as an untrained landman that happens to be a person of color, knocking on doors in neighborhoods in areas where I’m not from in 2022 gave me a little pause. 

But the job had to get done, so I laced up my Nike’s and the team and I got going. After knocking on nearly 1,000 doors through EJ outreach – and losing 9 lbs – we finished. With that outreach and multiple years of getting to know the residents, sponsoring events, being a part of the community and numerous Will to Skill cohorts in Jasper, Newton, Calcasieu, Cameron and Plaquemines parishes, I feel not only completely comfortable going in any of these areas, but I know that VG, our projects and our team are very much welcomed and overwhelmingly supported from the people that actually live there and are affected. But more importantly, I got another reminder that you can’t believe everything you hear or read, and that the loudest voice isn’t necessarily the one of truth – or even reason.  

President Obama said during his 2014 SOTU address that natural gas represents a “bridge fuel that can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change.” I’m no expert on geopolitics, national security or global energy nuances, but I believe climate change is real and must be addressed, and I can’t imagine that natural gas went from being the bridge to progression to being the bridge to regression in such a short amount of time. But what I can speak to is the incredibly positive and direct impact VG is having in the frontline community. 

VG created a community investment program in 2020 called Will to Skill, where we pay for frontline community members to get nationally recognized certifications and credentials for high-demand trade skills like Class A CDL, NCCER Electrical and NCCER CSST. 

I work for VG, so I fully expect you to question my perspective. 

But you can’t question the perspective of the girl that was making ~$9/hr and struggling to make ends meet in a 2 bdrm apt. for 5 people in 2021 that is now making 8x that and is comfortably supporting a family of 6 in a house that she was able to buy as a direct result of VG providing opportunities. You can’t question the perspective of a guy that got in some trouble when he was younger and the rest of the world tried to write him off before his life even started. But VG came along to provide opportunities that he took advantage of and has been able to finally obtain family-sustaining employment. And you really can’t question the perspective of the guy that went from making ~$20k/year for nearly a decade to ~$20k/month for multiple months as a direct result of VG providing opportunities. 

Maybe there are hundreds of people that have been told “no” for so long and now they finally have an opportunity to create value and a better life for themselves and their families because of VG. But Venture Global can’t do it all. There is ample opportunity for outside groups to also help build these communities up. 

VG isn’t perfect. If we inadvertently missed any of the actual frontline community members, I encourage you to reach out to me directly. I’d be happy to come and sit at your kitchen table to hear any concerns and answer any questions. 

AJ Walker is Director, Public Affairs & Development at Venture Global LNG.