FERC Issues Final EIS to Rio Grande LNG

Houston-based NextDecade announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued the final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for NextDecade’s Rio Grande liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Brownsville, Texas, as well as for the associated Rio Bravo Pipeline to originate in the Agua Dulce area.

The EIS issued by the FERC was prepared in accordance with statutory requirements in the National Environmental Policy Act. The FERC is the primary agency responsible for the review and permitting of LNG facilities in the United States.

The FERC’s rigorous process includes a detailed review of the environmental, engineering, social, and other elements of proposed projects.

“We appreciate the FERC staff’s timely and thorough review of our project,” said Matt Schatzman, NextDecade’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Final Environmental Impact Statement is a culmination of several years of analysis and cooperation with FERC staff and multiple federal, state, and local agencies and other stakeholders.”

With the EIS issuance, the FERC has established a 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline of July 25, 2019.

Pending the achievement of further commercial milestones and receipt of a FERC order, NextDecade anticipates making a positive final investment decision on up to three trains (Phase I) of the Rio Grande LNG project by the end of the third quarter of 2019.