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NextDecade CEO says it will fight to appeal the delay of its LNG plant.

Matthew Schatzman, NextDecade's CEO, said that the company will appeal a Federal Court ruling this month which overturned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval of the first phase of its Rio Grande LNG project worth $18,4 billion.

In an interview, he said that the company would take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court if needed.

A D.C. On August 6, a Circuit Court ruled that the regulator had erred in approving the plant's construction at the Port Brownsville, Texas. The court ordered FERC reconsider project impacts. This could mean a new environmental assessment and a public comment period.

NextDecade doesn't expect the courts will stop construction until the final decision is made. Schatzman says that delays of this kind can kill large infrastructure projects.

We are committed to ensuring that phase one is delivered on time and within budget by taking all necessary legal and regulatory measures.

Schatzman, NextDecade's CEO, said that the stock price of the company has dropped 39% since August when the Federal Appeal Court in Washington D.C. made its decision. The price drop is due to the additional project risks resulting from the court ruling.

The flagship NextDecade facility has been under development for several decades and has already experienced multiple delays.

The first phase, which had a liquid gas capacity of 17,61 million tonnes per year, was to be completed in early 2029, at a cost estimated at $18 billion.

Schatzman stated that his customers are still committed to the project, but they're concerned about the decision. His management team has been in regular contact with investors and clients.

Global Infrastructure Partners, TotalEnergies and other energy companies are supporting the project. He said that the company has received orders for 92% of the total capacity of the first two trains, and 88% for the third. Curtis Williams, Houston (Reporting; Leslie Adler & Richard Chang)

(source: Reuters)