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FERC Approves NextDecade's Request for More Workers and Longer Hours at Texas LNG Site
Regulators greenlight expansion of construction workforce and 24/7 operations to accelerate project timeline.
Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:35pm
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A sculptural representation of the critical infrastructure enabling America's growing role as a global LNG superpower.Houston TodayThe U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved NextDecade's request to increase the peak number of construction workers at its Rio Grande LNG project in Texas from 5,225 to 7,500. The company also received approval to extend construction hours to include nights and weekends. NextDecade cited heightened global demand for U.S. LNG due to supply challenges caused by the Iran war as the reason for the accelerated timeline.
Why it matters
The Rio Grande LNG project is a critical piece of infrastructure that will help meet growing global demand for U.S. liquefied natural gas. FERC's approval of NextDecade's request to expand its workforce and construction schedule will allow the company to bring new LNG supply online more quickly, supporting energy security and economic growth.
The details
In a regulatory filing, NextDecade told FERC that global geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing Iran war, have heightened demand for U.S. LNG. This prompted the company to request permission to increase its peak construction workforce by 2,275 workers to a total of 7,500, up from the previously authorized 5,225. NextDecade also asked for approval to conduct construction work around the clock, including nights and weekends, in order to accelerate the project timeline. FERC approved both the increase in construction workers and the request for 24/7 operations.
- On April 10, 2026, FERC approved NextDecade's request to increase the peak construction workforce at the Rio Grande LNG project.
- NextDecade previously had approval for a peak workforce of 5,225 construction workers.
The players
NextDecade
A U.S. energy company developing the Rio Grande LNG export terminal in Texas.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
The U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil.
QatarEnergy
The state-owned oil and gas company of Qatar, the world's second-largest producer of liquefied natural gas.
What’s next
With FERC's approval, NextDecade can now move forward with its plans to accelerate construction of the Rio Grande LNG project, including expanding its workforce and operating around the clock. The company aims to bring new LNG supply online as quickly as possible to help meet growing global demand.
The takeaway
The rapid approval of NextDecade's request highlights the critical role that U.S. LNG projects play in supporting global energy security and the urgency to bring new supply online amid geopolitical disruptions. This decision will allow the Rio Grande LNG terminal to ramp up production more quickly, contributing to the diversification of global LNG sources.
