The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is taking comments on court-mandated analyses of two liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals in South Texas.

An Aug. 6, 2024, decision by the D..C. Circuit Court of Appeals required FERC to prepare supplemental environmental impact statements for the Rio Grande LNG terminal and associated Rio Bravo Pipeline and the Texas LNG terminal, both planned in Cameron County, Texas, just north of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Residents, environmental groups, and the nearby city of Port Isabel sued FERC over its authorization of the terminals, arguing that FERC’s analysis of the terminals’ greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and impact on low-income and minority communities was deficient, among other issues. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed in August 2021 and required FERC to do an additional analysis.

The groups then went back to the D.C. Circuit, which ruled that FERC failed to adequately address environmental justice and air quality issues in response to the previous court decision and overturned FERC’s approval of the terminals.

In its draft supplemental environmental impact statements, FERC staff wrote that both terminals would have “disproportionate and adverse” impacts on low-income and minority communities. It also recommended that FERC consult with federal authorities over potential effects on endangered species before reapproving the terminals.

FERC is accepting comments on both documents until 5 p.m. Eastern on May 19. See the public notices (click here for Texas LNG and here for Rio Grande LNG) for information on how to submit comments.