NextDecade Corp. CEO Matthew Schatzman said this week that FERC’s order reaffirming its approval for Rio Grande LNG was a crucial milestone that’s likely to vault sanctioning of the project across the finish line.

“This was a strong order,” Schatzman told NGI in an interview this week days after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission made its decision. “It removes any regulatory uncertainty from the project. It allows us to move swiftly in bringing the project to a positive final investment decision (FID).”

In a 3-1 vote, FERC found its 2019 approvals for the Rio Grande project, along with the Rio Bravo Pipeline and the Texas liquefied natural gas export project, are in the public’s interest and can move ahead. The decision came 18 months after a federal appeals...