Rocio Villalobos 
Port Isabel- Dozens of residents both locally and from out of state come out to the Port Isabel event and cultural center to provide their input on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission proposed Annova LNG Brownsville project.
The meeting provides the community with an opportunity to share their comments regarding the potential effects on the economy and environment that the liquified natural gas pipeline construction would produce with representatives from the FERC.
“We are very excited to see the public out here voicing their concerns,” said Annova Representative Maribel Guerrero. “We are very excited to make sure we address all those concerns, that we’re moving forward and coordinating very closely and diligently with the Federal Resource Commission.”
In December 2018, Annova LNG submitted a draft of an environmental impact statement detailing how the terminal aims to mitigate the impact on wetlands and natural habitats.
Guerrero says Annova LNG is hoping to begin construction in 2020. The construction would include a pipeline meter station, liquefaction facilities and two LNG storage tanks, as well as other facilities.
Their site also outlines the economic advantage the project would bring to Brownsville, however, environmentalists are unenthused with the idea.
“It’s really a shame that with all of the degraded land that is just west of the site where they want to build it, the port authority is choosing to give a lease to the last remaining Loma on the channel,” said Paul Sanchez-Navarro, a Texas Representative for Defenders of Wildlife.
Sanchez-Navarro says he has reviewed the environmental impact statement but doesn’t believe the plan provides an accurate understanding of ecosystems and its species.
Once the environmental review process is complete after several public input opportunities, the fate of the project will be decided. For more information visit annovalng.com.
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