Vol. 9, No. 5 October 2024

Port of Brownsville Secures Loan for BIH Project

The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement project, comprised of two phases, is funded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Public-Private Partnership (P3) with the Port of Brownsville and NextDecade Corporation, Rio Grande LNG’s parent company.

The Port of Brownsville’s Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement (BIH) project made progress in September, securing a low interest $43 million loan from the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) — a critical funding boost that brings the historic channel-deepening project closer to reality.

At the Texas Transportation Commission’s regular meeting, held Thursday, Sept. 26, the commission approved a $43 million Ship Channel Improvement Revolving Fund (SCIRF) loan to provide the Port of Brownsville revenue for its local share of qualified costs necessary to deepen the Brazos Island Harbor Channel. The commission approved $400 million in SCIRF loans for two projects near Beaumont and Brownsville. The funding is the result of a bill passed in the 88th Legislature and signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in 2023.

"On behalf of the Port of Brownsville, we thank Governor Abbott and the Texas Transportation Commission for the approval of this funding which is key to the successful completion of the Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project," said Port Director and CEO William Dietrich. "This infrastructure investment will strengthen the port’s competitive advantage as the leading maritime hub in South Texas and support economic development for the region."

Why the Rio Grande LNG Project is a Boon for South Texas

By William Dietrich

Port Director and CEO

Port of Brownsville

On August 6, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals made a pivotal decision to revisit the approval of the Rio Grande LNG project. While this decision has been met with mixed reactions, it’s crucial to recognize this project’s significant benefits to South Texas.

The Rio Grande LNG project, led by NextDecade, not only complies with all regulatory requirements but also represents a substantial investment in our local economy and infrastructure.

This project is poised to provide much-needed economic growth, job creation, and community development in an area that has long been economically underprivileged.

Being good stewards of the environment is important, and the Rio Grande LNG project has made this a top priority. NextDecade has emphasized the importance of doing this project right and being environmentally just to our community.

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Lt. Julio E. Romo of the Port of Brownsville Police and Security Department a recognition from the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the South Texas Area Maritime Security Committee, at the Port of Brownsville Command Center.

South Texas AMSC Recognized as 2023 AMSC of the Year

Port of Brownsville Police Lt. Julio E. Romo of the Port of Brownsville Police and Security Department accepted a prestigious recognition from the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the South Texas Area Maritime Security Committee (AMSC), at the Port of Brownsville Command Center on Sept. 27.

The South Texas AMSC was honored with the 2023 AMSC of the Year award and received an Honorable Mention for its South Texas AMSC 2023 annual report.

The recognition highlights the committee’s notable achievements, including its coordination of multiple subcommittees across nine seaports over a geographic expanse of more than 300 miles. Key accomplishments include facilitating a tabletop exercise to develop mitigation strategies for regional maritime critical infrastructure threats and conducting a comprehensive review of the Area Maritime Security Plan, following insights from a recent risk assessment.

Stand with Rio Grande LNG #StandWithRGLNG

Learn more about the August 6 decision by the U.S. D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to vacate and remand the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Rio Grande LNG (RGLNG) reauthorization order.

Community stakeholders need to understand the potential impacts this decision could have on the Rio Grande Valley and infrastructure projects across the nation if the ruling is upheld and construction on RGLNG at the Port of Brownsville is stopped.

Learn more by visiting StandWithRGLNG.com. This website contains updates on the appeals process, news articles, and testimonials from leaders from across South Texas and beyond, including words of support from Port Director and CEO William Dietrich.

We encourage you to visit the website and share it widely to keep your networks up to date about this unprecedented court decision. And if you support the RGLNG project, let your social media network know that you #standwithrglng.

Port Abilities: Powering Progress

The Port of Brownsville is powering progress and driving wind energy forward.

Handled with precision, in August, crane operators unloaded these massive components for the wind energy industry onto trucks before transporting them to the port's expansive Patio 22 for short-term storage.

BROWNSVILLE NAVIGATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

Esteban Guerra

Chairman

Sergio Tito Lopez

Vice Chairman

John Reed

Secretary

John Wood

Commissioner

Ernesto Gutierrez

Commissioner