"Officials in Port Isabel and nearby towns have consistently opposed plans to build large industrial complexes at the mouth of the Rio Grande."
"The Point Isabel Independent School District on Monday rejected a multi-million dollar tax break for a proposed $5.7 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project on the Texas Gulf Coast, finding the facility would not “align” with the community’s values or finances.
Districts in Texas have typically granted such agreements, which are meant to incentivize investment with reduced property taxes in exchange for promises of economic development.
But the school district’s board of trustees in Port Isabel, with 5,200 people tucked between nature preserves at the mouth of the Rio Grande, have rejected three similar proposals from LNG developers planning to build large industrial complexes in the area, including a previous application from the 625-acre Texas LNG project.
“We are at a loss at how school board leadership could have made such a decision,” said a spokesperson for Texas LNG project, Tim Fitzpatrick. “There is no economically rational benefit for this vote, which should be about how to benefit students.”"
Dylan Baddour reports for Inside Climate News March 3, 2026.
