NextDecade Corporation announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for NextDecade’s Rio Grande liquified natural gas (LNG) project in Brownsville, Texas, as well as for the associated Rio Bravo Pipeline to originate in the Agua Dulce area.

The FEIS issued by the FERC was prepared in accordance with statutory requirements in the National Environmental Policy Act. The FERC is the primary agency responsible for the review and permitting of LNG facilities in the United States. The FERC’s rigorous process includes a detailed review of the environmental, engineering, social, and other elements of proposed projects.

“We appreciate the FERC staff’s timely and thorough review of our project,” said Matt Schatzman, NextDecade’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Final Environmental Impact Statement is a culmination of several years of analysis and cooperation with FERC staff and multiple federal, state, and local agencies and other stakeholders.”

With the FEIS issuance, the FERC has established a 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline of July 25, 2019. Pending the achievement of further commercial milestones and receipt of a FERC order, NextDecade anticipates making a positive final investment decision on up to three trains (Phase I) of the Rio Grande LNG project by the end of the third quarter of 2019.

Rio Grande LNG and Rio Bravo Pipeline federal regulatory timeline:

- Section 3(a) & 7(c) FERC Application: May 5, 2016 - Complete
- Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review: August 31, 2018 - Complete
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement: October 12, 2018 - Complete
- Final Environmental Impact Statement: April 26, 2019 - Complete
- Federal Authorization Decision Deadline: July 25, 2019

About NextDecade Corporation

NextDecade (NASDAQ: NEXT) is a liquified natural gas (LNG) development company focused on LNG export projects and associated pipelines in Texas. NextDecade intends to develop the largest LNG export solution linking Permian Basin associated gas to the global LNG market, creating value for producers, customers, and stockholders. Its portfolio of LNG projects includes the 27 mtpa Rio Grande LNG export facility in Brownsville, Texas and the 4.5 Bcf/d Rio Bravo Pipeline that would transport natural gas from the Agua Dulce area to Rio Grande LNG. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas.