40 Valley Organizations, Businesses, and Officials calling on Cameron County to Reject the Annova LN
Cameron county is asking for more money from residents while at the same time considering a tax break deal for the proposed Annova LNG export terminal, which is a project owned by billion-dollar corporation Exelon and that would pollute the Valley.
Last month, dozens of people packed the Cameron County meeting to voice opposition against the handout for Annova LNG. However, the commissioners tabled the item and will vote at the October 1st meeting.
Over 40 local organizations, businesses, and officials are making the message clear, and have signed a public letter calling on the commissioners' to reject the tax abatement for Annova LNG.
It's not too late to sign the letter by filling out this form before the October 1st commissioners' meeting.
September 23, 2019
To:
County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr.
Commissioner Sofia Benavides
Commissioner David A. Garza
Commissioner Gus Ruiz
Commissioner Joey Lopez
Subject: Reject the Annova LNG Tax Abatement
Dear Judge Trevino and Commissioners,
We, the undersigned organizations from across the Rio Grande Valley, write in opposition to any tax abatements for the three proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals at the Port of Brownsville. We are aware that Cameron County is considering a Chapter 312 property tax abatement for the proposed Annova LNG project. Chapter 312 is intended, through tax abatements to attract industries to locate here. But Annova and the two other LNG companies applied for federal permits to build at the Port of Brownsville years ago. An “incentive” would just waste future tax revenue that the county would desperately need if any LNG terminals were actually built. All Cameron County property owners, businesses and industries pay their fair share of county taxes. Annova should be expected to do the same. It is both good business sense and basic fairness.
There is tremendous local opposition to Annova LNG and the two other LNG terminals proposed for the Port of Brownsville. The communities of Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, Long Island Village, and South Padre Island have all passed anti-LNG resolutions, as well as the Laguna Madre Water District, the South Padre Island Business Association, and the Port Isabel Economic Development Board. Annova LNG was seeking a tax abatement from the Point Isabel School Board which they rejected in 2015. Additionally, thousands of public comments were submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) demanding the regulators deny the permits.
The supposed economic benefits of Annova LNG do not outweigh the costs. The LNG project will be a burden on taxpayer-funded infrastructure. Construction of these massive facilities would mean hundreds of trucks damaging our public roads. They will also require services from the local fire department, police department, and emergency management services. Moreover, Annova LNG is majority-owned by Exelon Corporation, a Fortune 100 company that generated $35.9 billion in revenue last year.
We urge you to listen to your constituents and Rio Grande Valley residents and reject Annova LNG’s request for a massive tax break from Cameron County. LNG is not a done deal. The projects have yet to receive permits or approvals needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and FERC.
Sincerely,
Save RGV from LNG
Sandcastle Island, Inc.
Marine Science Association
Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Citizens Against Voter Abuse
Cameron County Democratic Women
Friends of Isla Blanca
Essential Medical Beauty Treatments
Laguna Madre Youth Center
Los Ebanos Women’s Clinic
Gio’s villa
Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribal Nation
Cameron County Democratic Women's PAC
South Padre Island Windsurfing/Kiteboarding
RGVs Harambe Environmental Club
American Indian Movement Central Texas Chapter
Friends of the Wildlife Corridor
Frontera Audubon Society
Lower Rio Grande Valley Sierra Club
Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter
Frontera Progressives
Island Native Surf House
Ms. Nadine Smith, Laguna Vista Councilmember Place 6
Mr. Frank Davalos Jr., Laguna Vista Councilmember Place 3
Mr. Rolando Gonzalez, Laguna Vista Councilmember Place 4
Mr. Victor Worrell, Laguna Vista Councilmember Place 5
Texas Latina Advocacy Network
Citizens for Sara 2020
Brownsville Artists and Musicians (BAM)
Volz Extreme Boards
Mary Volz Photography
The Rio Grande Valley Democratic Socialists of America
Society of Native Nations
Long Island Village
Manuel’s Restaurant
Team Brownsville Inc.
Proyecto Azteca
Marine Salvage & Services, Inc.
Shrimp Outlet
Shrimpers and Fisherman of the RGV
Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network
