Doomsday Claims by LNG Opponents Unfounded

LNG opponents spread fears about a doomsday future if the industry comes to the Rio Grande Valley. I and my wife, a physician, have researched the industry and the three LNG projects proposed for the Brownsville Ship Channel.

We attended the recent public meeting on Texas LNG hosted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. I spoke in favor of the project because I know that the industry has a great safety record and that technology and safety systems are in place to reduce environmental impacts.

The LNG industry will not bring death and destruction as opponents claim.

What it will bring is thousands of good-paying jobs, which the Rio Grande Valley sorely needs. This area has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state so this is an opportunity that we should embrace.

I would not speak in favor of bringing LNG projects to our area if I was not certain that it is a safe, environmentally responsible industry. These LNG projects must meet or exceed state and federal air quality standards to get the permits required to operate. These air quality standards are set at limits to project public health and the environment.

I am so certain of the safety of these plants that I’ll look forward to the day when I can bring my grandchildren by boat down the ship channel to show them these state-of-the-art facilities.

Bob Meager
South Padre Island

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