FERC Approves Construction of Rio Grande LNG Trains 4 and 5

Federal regulators have authorized construction of liquefaction Trains 4 and 5 at NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG export project in Texas, marking a key step forward for the facility’s expansion.

(P&GJ) — Federal regulators have granted Rio Grande LNG permission to begin construction of liquefaction Trains 4 and 5 at its export facility in Texas, according to a March 12 filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

In a letter issued by FERC’s Office of Energy Projects, regulators approved the company’s request to move forward with construction of the additional liquefaction units and certain related work outside the facility’s main process area.

“I grant your request for Rio Grande LNG, LLC (RGLNG) to proceed with construction of Trains 4 and 5, as well as certain activities located outside battery limits (OSBL) as described in your February 20, 2026 filing,” FERC said in the letter.

The approval follows staff review of materials submitted by the developer in February and March related to compliance with conditions tied to the project’s earlier authorization.

FERC noted that the authorization applies only to construction of the liquefaction trains and specified offsite work and does not extend to other project facilities at the LNG terminal.

“Please note that this approval does not grant RGLNG the authority to construct other project facilities at the LNG terminal,” the agency said. 

Additional approvals will be issued once regulators determine the company has met remaining conditions of the commission’s 2019 order authorizing the Rio Grande LNG project.

FERC also reminded the developer that the project must comply with applicable Department of Transportation safety regulations governing LNG facilities.