LNG plant OK comes with a warning
Feds say habitat for endangered species could be fragmented
Federal regulators gave the proposed Texas LNG export terminal at the Port of Brownsville a green light in an environmental report alongside a warning about habitat fragmentation for the endangered ocelot, jaguarundi and aplomado falcon, if similar projects also are approved.
In a final environmental impact statement issued Friday, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concluded the Texas LNG project would have “adverse environmental impacts,” but they could be mitigated through prop-
merce with Mexico and Canada, is supporting the deal.
The three countries are connected by pipelines, rail and roadways that ship different grades of crude oil, refined products and natural gas between them.
Mexico, for example, is the U.S.’ biggest foreign market for natural gas. Texas exported more than $35 billion in energy products, including plastics and chemicals, to Mexico last year, accounting for about one-third of all exports to its southern neighbor, the Commerce Department reported.
Hurdles already have emerged to the revised trade deal, with both parties demanding the White House lift tariffs on steel and aluminum tariffs from Canada and Mexico. Some Democrats are calling for stricter labor provisions to protect American workers.
But with labor unions and environmental groups
taking a softer line than on past trade deals, a potential pathway for Congress to approve the deal is beginning to emerge.
“It’s a different atmosphere this time,” Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, said earlier this month.
Cornyn also had tough words for the Green New Deal, a proposal to rapidly expand carbon-free energy sources to counter climate change.
He described plans by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to hold a vote on the proposal as an effort to determine, “how serious the proponents are or whether this is a matter of political messaging.”
“It really is so radical,” Cornyn said of the Green New Deal. “So much of the rhetoric is not about finding solutions, it’s about staking out your position and fighting it out in the next election. I think the answer is coming up with consensus actions.”