Urgent: the LNG project, Rio Grande LNG, which is already under construction on Highway 48, is seeking a permit to expand the facility to export more methane. The community should submit a public comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging it to deny this permit for Rio Grande LNG’s expansion, as it would release even more toxic pollution into the Rio Grande Valley’s water, air, and land and worsen climate change.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) should reject Rio Grande LNG’s expansion due to widespread opposition to these LNG projects. The communities of South Padre Island, Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, Long Island Village, and Laguna Heights oppose the LNG projects because they would destroy wildlife habitat, damage the fishing and shrimping economy, and threaten public safety.
The FERC is accepting public comments until April 8, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., for the environmental review that should analyze the impacts of LNG on the community and the environment. Here’s a link to the notice– please submit a comment to FERC by filling out our comment form below. In the comment, residents should also demand that FERC host a public hearing about the dangerous impacts of the projects and provide Spanish interpretation and translation for the community.
Tell FERC no expansion for Rio Grande LNG by April 8!
If built, the LNG projects would bulldoze habitat and sacred lands of the Eso’k Gna (Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribal Nation) to build massive storage tanks, flare stacks, and pipelines spanning over 2,000 acres next door to Port Isabel and along the Brownsville ship channel. These LNG projects would be the largest sources of pollution in the Rio Grande Valley, emitting harmful pollutants, including volatile organic compounds and greenhouse gases, that affect respiratory health and the climate.
Rio Grande LNG plans to disturb a Native historic site called “Garcia Pasture,” which contains ancestral burial sites, villages, and artifacts that are sacred to the Eso’k Gna. Garcia Pasture is also recognized by the National Park Service and designated as an endangered site by the World Monuments Fund. We also demand that the FERC consult with the Esto’k Gna.
Send a comment to FERC by April 8, urging them to reject an expansion permit for Rio Grande LNG.
Please add a personal message about how these LNG projects may affect you, the land, and your community. For example, you could mention LNG air pollution and environmental justice impacts. We have a sample comment below that you can use.
COMMENT FORM TO FERC
Sample comment:
To
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Subject: Reject the permit for Rio Grande LNG Docket No. PF26-3-000.
[personal message here]
I urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reject the expansion permit Docket No. PF26-3-000 for Rio Grande LNG because there is tremendous opposition to the LNG projects. The communities of South Padre Island, Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, Long Island Village, and Laguna Heights oppose the LNG projects because they would destroy wildlife habitat, damage the fishing & shrimping economy, and threaten public safety. The Point Isabel Independent School District (PIISD) rejected a tax abatement for Rio Grande LNG due to local opposition to the project.
Rio Grande LNG is already disturbing an Indigenous historic site called “Garcia Pasture,” which contains ancestral artifacts recognized by the National Park Service and designated as an endangered site by the World Monuments Fund, and is sacred to the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas. The FERC must consult the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas about the LNG project’s construction. FERC must also extend the comment period to 90 days, provide a public hearing, and provide Spanish translation and interpretation for our low-income people of color community. Additionally, we demand a full environmental impact statement (EIS) on the risks and dangers posed by nearby SpaceX operations, including the environmental damage and harm to our community.
Sincerely,
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