Gas World : Texas communities call for stop on Rio Grande LNG

In November, South Texas community activists and tribal groups directly affected by the proposed Rio Grande Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal addressed the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB), demanding the state pension fund seek to halt the polluting LNG project.

Despite Washington State’s leadership on addressing climate change, WSIB is one of the largest investors in the Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) fund that is developing the LNG terminal.

Last year, WSIB invested in Global Infrastructure Partners Fund V via a $400 million commitment. GIP committed $3.5 billion to the proposed Rio Grande LNG export terminal in Texas.  This controversial project is already facing community and legal opposition. If built, this project is estimated to emit the equivalent emissions of 44 coal power plants every year, about 163 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Community activists and cities in South Texas directly oppose the Rio Grande LNG terminal. The terminal would be the largest single-source polluter in South Texas and would severely degrade local fishing, shrimping, and nature tourism industries.

The publication Gas Worldhighlighted the community comments at the WSIB meeting and the emissions damage that Rio Grande will bring to the South Texas area.

Gas World Nov 17, 2023: Texas communities call for stop on Rio Grande LNG

“Several Texas-based community activists and tribal groups have called on the Washington State Investment Board (WISB) to put a stop to the proposed Rio Grande liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in South Texas.

Those who have raised concerns for the project say it will be the second largest single-source polluter in the region and would severely degrade local fishing, shrimping, and nature tourism industries.

Earlier this year, WSIB invested in Global Infrastructure Partners Fund V via a $400m commitment. GIP committed $3.5bn to the proposed Rio Grande LNG export terminal in Texas.

Those looking to now stop the state pension fund for the project emphasise that Rio Grande LNG is estimated to emit the equivalent emissions of 44 coal power plants every year, or around 163 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent.”