FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 2, 2026
Contact: Bekah Hinojosa, bekah@sotxejn.org or (956) 975-6634
Point Isabel ISD Rejects $160 Million Tax Break for Texas LNG
PORT ISABEL, TX—Yesterday evening, the Point Isabel ISD (PIISD) school board members listened to their constituents and unanimously voted down a $160 million JETI tax abatement for the proposed Texas LNG project. About 30 Laguna Madre residents and members of the organizations the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, Valley Interfaith, and Border Workers United packed the public hearing, gave public comments, held thumbs-down signs reading “no tax abatements,” and wore No LNG buttons. The South Texas Environmental Justice Network hand-delivered 140 letters from Laguna Madre residents opposing the Texas LNG tax abatement application.
During the public hearing, residents noted the air pollution that Texas LNG would bring to the area and other various negative impacts of LNG, which is in large part why residents oppose the tax abatement. This wasn’t the first time that the Point Isabel Independent School District (PIISD) has voted against tax incentives for LNG. Previously, PIISD voted down tax abatement applications, known as 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. In 2024, the City of Port Isabel passed an anti-LNG tax abatement resolution.
“There is tremendous opposition to tax breaks for LNG because these projects would pollute the Rio Grande Valley and harm the fishing and tourism businesses that people rely on to feed their families. That’s why residents like Terrie Nunez from Laguna Vista were at the Point Isabel ISD hearing last night, to remind the board members that residents have opposed tax LNG breaks for over ten years,” said Bekah Hinojosa with the South Texas Environmental Justice Network. We hand-delivered 140 letters from Port Isabel area residents who oppose LNG tax breaks to the school board members during the public hearing to remind them why they must keep voting down LNG. We’re pleased that PIISD listened to their constituents and voted against the tax break for Texas LNG once again.”
“For years, the Tribe has demanded that all public officials oppose the Texas LNG facility because it would bulldoze Garcia Pasture, which is part of the village areas and sacred ceremonial areas. All of this land is sacred; people were buried there, and ceremonies took place there. The colonized corporations have no respect or regard for the historical importance of the area and the people that lived here,” said Juan Mancias, Tribal Chairman of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas.
“We should not be taking money meant to educate Texas school children and redirecting it to finance corporate projects,” said Rosalie Tristan with Valley Interfaith. “With Texas LNG, 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.”
“We are pleased that the school board listened to our Laguna Heights colonia residents and the community and rejected the tax break for the Texas LNG facility, which would be dangerous for the Rio Grande Valley,” said Lupita Sanchez with Border Workers United. “The LNG companies will just destroy our environment and our health. We don’t want LNG around us.”
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. Rio Grande Valley communities have made it clear that they will not back down and will continue to oppose LNG permits or applications.
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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