The Washington D.C. Circuit Court decision holds great importance in the fight against poverty in Brownsville and South Texas. By endorsing the Rio Grande LNG investment in Brownsville, we can secure over 6,000 job opportunities, making a significant impact on the local economy.
Major cities in South Texas, including Brownsville, Harlingen, Weslaco, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Laredo, have come together to express their support for NextDecade’s Rio Grande Liquefied Natural Gas (RGLNG) Facility. This facility is located at the Brownsville Navigation District, specifically at the Port of Brownsville. With a combined population of almost one million residents, these cities are proud to endorse the project.
The cities are in strong disagreement with the decision made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit Court on August 6, 2024. The court’s ruling resulted in the vacating of the reauthorization orders for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) RGLNG Facility, Rio Bravo Pipeline, and Texas LNG.
The mayors of the South Texas cities are working together to achieve a common objective: identifying the specific needs of the region and creating strategic plans to harness their collective influence.
The cities have come together with a common goal of driving economic growth in the region. They are fully supportive of the RGLNG Facility, recognizing its role in shaping a more prosperous future for South Texas.
The City of Brownsville and the South Texas region have a clear understanding of the RGLNG development project. NextDecade has been actively involved in the community as a partner, engaging in meaningful interactions with the public.
They have organized 26 open houses, which were attended by over 3,600 community members. Among the attendees were more than 1,600 students from the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) as well as charter and private schools in Brownsville.
In addition, NextDecade has shown its commitment to the community by investing in local academic institutions and supporting their vocational training programs. This investment aims to cultivate a skilled workforce that is well-prepared for the challenges of the future.
The Brownsville community and its neighboring areas are witnessing a noticeable transformation away from poverty. With an average age of 29, the population of Brownsville comprises a diverse workforce spanning multiple generations.
These young individuals, along with residents from nearby Port Isabel, Harlingen, Edinburg, McAllen, and Mission, are eager for employment opportunities in or around Brownsville. This desire for economic opportunities is particularly significant given that approximately 55% of Brownsville’s residents come from low-to-moderate income families who have been impacted by poverty across multiple generations.
Recent data from the National Bureau of Economic Research confirms that the construction of the RGLNG project and the increasing presence of SpaceX have contributed to a narrowing race gap in economic mobility within the area.
Similar to Brownsville, other cities in South Texas have also seen an increase in student enrollment at local educational institutions such as The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Texas Southmost College (TSC), Texas State Technical College (TSTC), and South Texas College (STC). However, there is a significant worry about the loss of talented individuals, known as “brain drain,” as professionals leave the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) in pursuit of higher-paying job opportunities in other regions like Central and North Texas, and even outside of the state.
NextDecade has made a strong commitment to supporting the local community by prioritizing local hiring and procurement for the RGLNG facility. This approach ensures that the economic benefits of the project extend beyond just the facility itself. To date, the RGLNG project has created 1,400 full-time jobs, with an additional 6,000 jobs expected in the next five years. Remarkably, 70% of these jobs have been filled by individuals from the local area. Furthermore, out of the $2.92 billion in vendor expenditures, 60% of the vendors are local, which will result in even more indirect job opportunities and provide a much-needed sustainable boost to the region.
The decision to revoke the project’s permits due to procedural concerns poses a significant risk to the economy. If this issue is not resolved, not only will the RGLNG project be affected, but other important infrastructure projects throughout the country may also experience greater uncertainty in terms of regulatory outcomes.
These disruptions have the potential to discourage future investments, which is particularly worrisome considering the importance of improving our energy infrastructure for economic stability and growth. This is something that our market has been striving for, as it directly benefits our communities, residents, and businesses.
The RGLNG project is closely connected to the Brazos Island Harbor (BIH) Channel Improvement Project at the Port of Brownsville, which involves deepening the ship channel. RGLNG, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of Brownsville, has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into this project.
The Port has been working on the BIH project since 2007, and RGLNG’s commitment to constructing Phase 1 has turned it into a reality. If the ruling is upheld, the completion of the BIH project may be jeopardized, and the significant benefits to the RGV, resulting from increased trade at the Port, will not come to fruition.
In light of these challenges, residents and stakeholders of these cities are urging community members to actively support the RGLNG project and its continuation under its current permits. It is crucial that we address the procedural concerns raised by the Court while ensuring that the project remains viable and continues to provide significant economic and environmental benefits.
The leaders of Brownsville, Harlingen, Weslaco, McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, and Laredo have graciously shared their thoughts in the above op-ed. We are pleased to feature their contribution in the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service.