The Brownsville Navigation District reached a provisional commitment by Rio Grande LNG towards the restoration, enhancement and preservation of the Bahia Grande wetland complex.
This will be achieved through the expansion of a pilot channel into a permanent and enhanced source of tidal flow to the Bahia Grande, according to the Rio Grande LNG’s statement.
The Bahia Grande restoration project is contingent on Rio Grande LNG’s final investment decision to construct and operate a new LNG liquefaction facility and export terminal at the Port of Brownsville.
The agreed upon environmental project would restart restoration work that had previously stalled due to lack of funding.
The BND has secured all necessary approvals and permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and now has secured the requisite construction services from Rio Grande LNG, who would bear the total cost for engineering and construction of the project in conjunction with their facility works.
Under the agreement, Rio Grande LNG would widen the Carl “Joe” Gayman Bahia Grande Restoration Channel in an effort to increase tidal exchange and restore more natural salinity regimes in the Bahia Grande. As a result, this project would enhance natural hydrology and salinity of the area and provide the local community with public recreational benefits.
Rio Grande LNG is currently progressing through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permitting process and hopes to begin construction after a final investment decision is taken next year.
NextDecade’s proposed Rio Grande LNG facility and export terminal would require a capital investment of up to $17.3 billion at full build-out of six trains. Each train would have a nominal production capacity of 4.5 mtpa, totaling 27 mtpa of the chilled fuel per year.