LNG opposition urge locals to take action now

By DINA ARÉVALO
Port Isabel-South Padre Press
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com

The clock is ticking.

As the timeline to construct three potential Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals along the Port of Brownsville Ship Channel progresses, deadlines are being set on the opportunities Laguna Madre area residents have for their voices to be heard — whether they support or oppose the projects.

That was the message members of Friends of Laguna Madre and Save RGV from LNG hoped to convey during a meeting they held at the Port Isabel Community Center Monday evening. The event was also a chance for the community to hear from several political candidates, including those running for City of Port Isabel, Point Isabel ISD and Precinct 1 constable seats.

Representing City races, current commissioner and mayoral candidate Juan Jose “J.J.” Zamora was on hand, as were current Laguna Madre Water District (LMWD) board member and city commission candidate Martin Cantu, Jr., Carmen Rios and Michelle Barreiro. Alicia Baldovinos was the sole school board candidate in attendance.

Over the last year Save RGV from LNG has successfully lobbied several local governmental entities to oppose the construction of the LNG facilities, including the school district, City of Port Isabel and the Water District. That pressure was not lost on any of the candidates who attended Monday’s gathering. Many of them tailored their remarks to include their concerns about environmental issues.

And while seeing where local candidates stand on those issues was an important part of Monday’s event, paramount to the members of Save RGV from LNG was informing residents of the Laguna Madre area about the upcoming interveners deadline with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the wake of the completion and acceptance of Texas LNG’s application with the regulatory body.

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