Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) announced federal approvals of three controversial fracked gas export terminals - Texas LNG, Rio Grande LNG, Rio Bravo Pipeline, and Annova LNG - proposed for Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Despite today’s approval from FERC, the proposed facilities still do not have all the necessary approvals to begin construction. All three projects still require approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, Texas LNG is still awaiting a Biological Opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and neither Texas LNG nor Annova LNG have been granted air pollution permits from state regulators.
These fracked gas export facilities face massive public opposition in the Rio Grande Valley. The City of South Padre Island, the City of Port Isabel, the Town of Laguna Vista, Long Island Village, the Laguna Madre Water District, the Point Isabel School District, and the South Padre Island Business Owners Association have all expressed concern or formal opposition to LNG because of the threat of increased pollution and damage to the region’s thriving tourism industry. The projects also face growing opposition from the financial sector. Major international bank BNP Paribas announced in 2017 that it will not finance the proposed Texas LNG terminal or any LNG facilities, and other banks are under pressure to follow suit.
“It’s disappointing that FERC failed to recognize that these proposed fracked gas facilities would be a disaster for the Rio Grande Valley, but today’s approval is far from the end of the fight,” said Sierra Club Brownsville Organizer Rebekah Hinojosa. “Our communities are united in opposition to these dirty, dangerous projects, and we will continue to pursue all avenues - from the courts to pressuring financial institutions - to ensure they are never built.”
“Our communities have been fighting the three LNG companies for years because we don't want a future with fossil fuel operations that will scar the landscape, threaten public safety with explosions, and hurt the local economy,” said Terrie Nuñez from Laguna Vista, TX. “People travel from across Texas and Mexico to experience our clean beach. As a local business owner, I'm worried about our future if the LNG companies build here."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.