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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 25, 2026
Contact: Bekah Hinojosa, bekah@sotxejn.org or (956) 975-6634
Widely Opposed Texas LNG Project Seeks $160 Million Tax Break from Point Isabel ISD
PORT ISABEL, TX—The proposed Texas LNG project is seeking a $160 million JETI tax abatement from Point Isabel ISD (PIISD), which the board will vote on during the March 2nd public hearing. Rio Grande Valley organizations, the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, Border Workers United, and residents of Laguna Madre have vowed to oppose the tax abatement for Texas LNG because the proposed facility would be one of the region’s biggest polluters, thereby damaging the local economy, which depends on fishing, shrimping, and beach tourism.
The proposed Texas LNG project faces significant local community opposition. The City of Port Isabel, South Padre Island, and the Town of Laguna Vista have all passed anti-LNG resolutions. The Long Island Village community board and the Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation officially oppose LNG. Years ago, the Laguna Madre Water District voted against providing any water to LNG operations. The Point Isabel Independent School District (PIISD) voted against tax incentives, called Chapter 313 tax abatements, for the Rio Grande LNG, Texas LNG, and the now-canceled Annova LNG projects, because their constituents do not want these toxic gas operations. Residents and organizations will attend the Point Isabel ISD Public Hearing for the Texas LNG tax abatement application on March 2 at 5:30 PM at the Port Isabel Early College High School (18001 HWY 100 – Port Isabel, TX), and will once again urge the board to vote No.
In response, Bekah Hinojosa, with the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, issued the following statement:
“The Laguna Madre communities, which have all passed anti-LNG resolutions, have made it clear that they do not want Texas LNG because this fossil fuel facility would release toxic pollution into their air and waterways and thereby harm the local economy of beach tourism, fishing, and shrimping. The Point Isabel ISD school board must listen to the Laguna Madre communities they serve, and once again reject an absurd multi-million dollar tax break for the Texas LNG corporation.”
In response, Rosalie Tristan, Valley Interfaith leader, issued the following statement:
“We should not be taking money meant to educate Texas school children and redirecting it to finance corporate projects. There is no transparency around the true number of jobs, no clear commitment to regional hiring, and no accountability to ensure the community receives real benefits.”
In response, Lupita Sanchez, with Border Workers United, issued the following statement:
“Our members in Laguna Heights oppose the tax abatement for the LNG corporation because of the pollution it would release into the community. Laguna Heights residents depend on jobs in the tourism industry, the fishing and shrimping industry, and it’s clear the LNG company would harm these industries because of pollution and construction traffic. We urge the Point Isabel School District to listen to the community and reject these tax abatements for LNG once again.”
Background: For nearly a decade, residents and organizations from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas have resisted the construction and operations of three proposed fracked gas projects: Texas LNG, Rio Grande LNG, and the associated Rio Bravo Pipeline. If built, these projects would decimate the sacred native lands of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, the wildlife habitat at the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge, and pollute low-income communities of color.
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