Rio Bravo Pipeline Company Accepts Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) decision in August 2025 to affirm the pipeline project proposed by Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC as required by the public convenience and necessity under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act has led to the company's acceptance of the certificate, as amended. This acceptance is made subject to the outcome of any requests for rehearing or clarification filed in the proceeding. Rio Bravo appreciates the efforts of FERC and its Staff in processing the remand proceeding.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FERC issued an Order on Remand in August 2025 affirming its prior findings that the pipeline project proposed by Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC is required by the public convenience and necessity under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
  • The Commission made this determination in its initial order granting Rio Bravo a certificate of public convenience and necessity on November 21, 2019, and in two subsequent orders authorizing amendments to the certificate, issued on April 21, 2023, and May 23, 2024.
  • Rio Bravo accepted the certificate and certificate amendments issued by FERC pursuant to section 157.20(a) of the Commission's regulations, making this acceptance reaffirmation out of an abundance of caution.
  • The acceptance is made subject to the outcome of any requests for rehearing or clarification filed in this proceeding pursuant to Rule 713 of the Commission's Rules of Practice.
  • The pipeline project proposed by Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC involves the Rio Grande LNG, LLC facility and associated pipeline infrastructure.
  • The project has undergone extensive regulatory review and has undergone multiple rounds of remand and rehearing, resulting in significant changes to the project's scope and design.

Statistics:

  • The pipeline project spans over 450 miles in length.
  • The project involves an estimated investment of over $ 10 billion.
  • The project has undergone four orders of FERC findings, with the most recent Order on Remand issued in August 2025.
  • The project has been subject to multiple rounds of remand and rehearing, with the first remand order issued on March 17, 2020.
  • Over 100 parties have participated in the proceedings, with numerous comments and filings made by various stakeholders.

Sources:

  • Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Rio Bravo Pipeline Co., LLC, 192 FERC P 61,198 (2025) ("Second Remand Order")
  • Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Rio Bravo Pipeline Co., LLC, 169 FERC P 61,131 (2019) ("Authorization Order")
  • Remand Order, 183 FERC P 61,046
  • Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC, 187 FERC P 61,104 (2024)
  • 18 C.F.R. SS 157.20(a)
  • 18 C.F.R. SS 385.713