D.C. Circuit Reinstates Rio Grande LNG Permits in Brownsville Reversal

Brownsville, TX — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit handed Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG Brownsville a lifeline on March 18, 2025, reinstating FERC approvals squashed in August 2024. These South Texas LNG titans are back on track after a regulatory rollercoaster.

The Details:

• Rio Grande LNG: NextDecade’s $18.4 billion project targets 27 million metric tons of LNG yearly; three trains are underway since 2023.

• Texas LNG: Glenfarne Energy Transition’s $3 billion, 4-million-ton facility eyes a 2028 launch, pre-construction.

• Timeline: Approved in 2019, axed August 2024 for environmental gaps, reinstated March 18 after NextDecade’s October rehearing push.

• Jobs: Rio Grande brings 6,000+ construction roles; Texas LNG, hundreds long-term.

Why It Matters:

Texas LNG stays hot—NextDecade’s Brownsville hub and Glenfarne’s export bid could lock in U.S. energy dominance as global demand spikes. Sen. Ted Cruz previously filed an amicus brief supporting reinstatement.

The Catch:

FERC’s still got homework—revised environmental reviews could snag timelines if opposition reignites.

Bottom Line:

Brownsville’s LNG duo dodges a knockout, but Texas’s energy crown hinges on FERC’s next move.

Note: This ties to the UAE’s $1.4T U.S. investment framework, previously reported on TXBIZNEWS, with ADNOC funding NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG.