Hanover (dpa) – German Economy Minister Robert Habeck says an environmental lawsuit against the accelerated construction of an import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) could undermine Germany’s effort to wean itself of Russian energy imports.

Environmental Action Germany (DUH) has filed a lawsuit demanding a construction halt on the North Sea facility in Wilhelmshaven because it could endanger an underwater biotope as well as harbour porpoises.

The German government is attempting to speed up the construction of the terminal in order to import LNG from countries including the United States.

The goal is to become less dependent on Russian natural gas and prepare itself for a possible suspension of deliveries on the part of Russia.

“If we don’t have the LNG terminals, and if the gas doesn’t come from Russia, supply security in Germany is not guaranteed,” Habeck told RTL Direkt late Wednesday.

Addressing DUH directly, Habeck said: “Your lawsuit puts us in greater dependence on (Russian President Vladimir) Putin – you should not do that at this point.”

The state of Lower Saxony, where the terminal is to be located, wants to greatly simplify and shorten approval procedures for its construction.

This has prompted criticism, with environmental organizations saying that the start of construction in Wilhelmshaven was approved without disclosure of the relevant documents or participation of environmental groups.