Nearly three years after first filing for the projects, NextDecade Corp. said FERC issued final environmental impact statements (EIS) for its proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in South Texas and an associated pipeline system that would supply the terminal.

According to The Woodlands, TX-based company, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a final EIS on Friday for Rio Grande LNG and the Rio Bravo Pipeline [CP16-454, CP16-455]. The projects are proposed by NextDecade subsidiaries Rio Grande LNG LLC and Rio Bravo Pipeline Co. LLC.

“The final EIS is a culmination of several years of analysis and cooperation with FERC staff and multiple federal, state, and local agencies and other stakeholders,” said CEO Matt Schatzman.

FERC has until July 25 to make its final authorization for both projects. NextDecade made its first filings for both projects in May 2016. The company anticipates making a positive final investment decision on up to three trains for the LNG project by the end of September.

The terminal would be built on a 1,000-acre industrial site in Cameron County at the Port of Brownsville, which is on the tip of Texas near the Mexico border.

According to FERC documents, the terminal would have 27 million metric tons/year (mmty) of export capacity and six liquefaction trains, each with a nominal capacity of 4.5 mmty. It would also have four LNG tanks each with a capacity of 180,000 cubic meters; LNG truck loading facilities with four loading bays, each with a capacity to load 12-15 trucks per day; and a new marine slip for two LNG vessel berths, with capacities of 125,000-185,000 cubic meters.

The pipeline system would include two 42-inch diameter pipelines running in parallel for 137.5 miles from the Agua Dulce market area near Corpus Christi to Brownsville.

The pipeline project would include three 180,000 hp compressor stations, two 30,000 hp interconnect booster stations, six mainline valve sites, four metering sites along a 2.4-mile-long header system, as well as ancillary facilities.

FERC issued a draft EIS for both projects last October.