Cheniere Expansion Plans Meet Resistance from San Patricio County Residents

San Patricio County residents are pushing back against Cheniere Energy Inc.'s proposed expansion of its liquefied natural gas export facility in Gregory. The company, which is the largest LNG exporter in the US, is seeking approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for multiple air quality permits and the amendment of six active permits.

The Stage 4 expansion plans include four large-scale liquefaction trains, two LNG storage tanks, three ground flares, and one marine berth. Cheniere expects the global demand for LNG to double by 2040 as countries transition away from coal power to lower their carbon dioxide emissions.

However, residents have expressed frustration about air emissions stemming from the plant, with some living less than a mile away from the facility. They are concerned about ratepayer energy costs and the health impacts of increased industrial development in the area.