Cameron officials elated about proposed LNG facility on Monkey Island

A major development for Monkey Island--  Southern California Telephone & Energy's subsidiary is planning a $2.4 billion LNG facility there.

The subsidiary, SCT&E LNG has secured 232 acres here on Monkey Island to develop a natural gas liquefaction facility.

West Cameron Port Director Stephen Broussard says the deep water access available made the location very appealing to the company, which plans to ship the LNG overseas.

"They already have a memorandum of understanding with the Dominican Republic.  They plan to build a gasification and electrical plant there and supply all the natural gas for that plant.

$2.4 billion dollars construction.  Employment will probably be close to 1600.  Permanent jobs will be probably 100," said Broussard.

Cameron Administrator  Ryan Bourriaque expects it, along with other similar projects, to have a tremendous positive impact on the parish.

"The Police Jury is elated at the announcement from this company, this prospective investment in Monkey Island.  For many years now we've heard from previous generations about the value of Monkey Island and the potential that it held."said Bourriaque.

There used to be a ferry to provide passage to Monkey Island until Hurricane Rita took it out of service.  Now they're hoping industrial development will help them get a bridge here. They are working with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

While there are challenges, such as the need for temporary housing, Bourriaque says they look forward to what's to come and predict it will complement development efforts of the Cameron answers group. 

"Commercial fishing and prospective retail items that could possibly locate on the eastern end of the island," said Bourriaque.

SCT&E plans to have four lng production units each capable of producing more than $1 million tons of LNG per year.

For a link to more information about project proposed for Monkey Island click here.

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