US federal regulators have issued a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for NextDecade's Rio Grande liquefied natural gas export facility in Texas, suggesting that the facility alone would have a limited impact on the environment on its own if mitigation measures are put in place, writes Caroline Evans.

However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc) again cautioned that combined with other projects planned in the area around Brownsville, Texas, there could be a significant cumulative impact.

Ferc staff said the construction and operation of the proposed six-train, 27 million tonnes per annum Rio Grande LNG facility would result in some adverse environmental impacts, but those could be reduced to "less than significant" levels through mitigation measures proposed by the developer and by Ferc.

“We appreciate the Ferc staff’s timely and thorough review of our project,” said Matt Schatzman, NextDecade’s chief executive. “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.”

Ferc also pointed out that the "Rio Grande LNG project, combined with other projects within the geographic scope, including the Texas LNG and Annova LNG projects, would contribute to potential significant cumulative impacts" including negative effects on some federally protected species.

Ferc staff made similar warnings in the previously issued final EISs for the Texas LNG and Annova LNG projects - all three face opposition because of their potential environmental impact.

"In the (Rio Grande) EIS, Ferc recognises that the project will have wide-ranging adverse environmental impacts," said US environmental organisation the Sierra Club.

"Ferc attempts to downplay them by arguing that they will be mitigated or insignificant, despite the fact that the details of what that mitigation would entail and how well it would work are still in development."

Ferc made a number of recommendations to be attached as conditions to the project's authorisation, including developing a nighttime lighting plan to minimise impacts to wildlife. NextDecade hopes to take the final investment decision on up to three trains at Rio Grande by end of the third quarter.

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EIS boost for Rio Grande