Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a final order approving the Rio Grande LNG facility and its accompanying pipeline, a move that paves the way for the project’s advancement in South Texas.
“I am proud to have led the fight to secure federal authorization for the Rio Grande LNG project,” Cruz said in a statement. “This new LNG export facility supports thousands of jobs in the Rio Grande Valley, brings billions of dollars in investment to the region, and strengthens Texas’s energy leadership. Texas is the energy capital of the world, and I am proud to fight to ensure it stays that way.”
The project, developed by Houston-based NextDecade, is expected to generate significant economic activity in the Rio Grande Valley. Matt Schatzman, Chairman and CEO of NextDecade, credited Cruz’s involvement, stating, “NextDecade is deeply grateful to Senator Cruz for his continual support and commitment to advancing Rio Grande LNG. The Senator’s leadership has been instrumental in helping secure a final order for the project from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Lending his support along with that of other federal, state, and local elected officials gave voice to the importance of Rio Grande LNG to our nation, Texas, the Rio Grande Valley and our allies around the world.”
Cruz has consistently advocated for the project and for broader liquefied natural gas (LNG) development. In July 2025, he sent a letter urging FERC to “expeditiously reissue the appropriate authority for the Rio Grande LNG project,” citing its potential to provide “thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investment in the Rio Grande Valley.”
The senator has also pushed legislative efforts to protect LNG development. In March, Cruz, alongside Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), reintroduced the Protect LNG Act. According to Cruz’s office, the legislation would ensure that “a court cannot vacate a previously authorized LNG permit, clarifies the venue for LNG lawsuits before federal courts, and mandates that courts grant expedited decisions in relevant cases.”
Cruz has taken an active role in responding to court rulings affecting LNG projects. He led a bicameral and bipartisan amicus brief following the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision to vacate permits for Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG Brownsville. When the court later reinstated approvals, Cruz issued a statement welcoming the ruling, underscoring his commitment to “protecting America’s energy workers” and promoting “American energy dominance.”
In 2024, Cruz, Cornyn, and Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr. co-authored an op-ed in the Rio Grande Guardian criticizing the court’s earlier decision to vacate LNG permits in South Texas. Following the reinstatement of those permits in 2025, Cruz reaffirmed his position, calling the decision a victory for jobs, investment, and U.S. energy leadership.
