# Change In Control: Rio Grande LNG, LLC; Rio Grande LNG Train 4, LLC; and Rio Grande LNG Train 5, LLC
**AGENCY:**
Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, Department of Energy.
**ACTION:**
Notice of change in control.
**SUMMARY:**
The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of a Statement and Notice of Change in Control (Notice) filed by Rio Grande LNG, LLC, Rio Grande LNG Train 4, LLC (RGLNG 4), and Rio Grande LNG Train 5, LLC (collectively, the Rio Grande Entities) on October 1, 2025. The Notice describes a change in RGLNG 4's upstream ownership. The Notice was filed under the Natural Gas Act, and in accordance with DOE's regulations and DOE's Procedures for Changes in Control Affecting Applications and Authorizations to Import or Export Natural Gas (CIC Procedures).
**DATES:**
Protests, motions to intervene, or notices of intervention, as applicable, and written comments are to be filed as detailed in the Public Comment Procedures section no later than 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, December 3, 2025.
**ADDRESSES:**
*Electronic Filing by email (Strongly encouraged): [email protected].*
*Postal Mail, Hand Delivery, or Private Delivery Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.)*
U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, Forrestal Building, Room 3E-056, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585.
Due to potential delays in DOE's receipt and processing of mail sent through the U.S. Postal Service, we encourage respondents to submit filings electronically to ensure timely receipt.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Jennifer Wade or Peri Ulrey, U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement, Office of Resource Sustainability, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, Forrestal Building, Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-4749 or (202) 586-7893, *[email protected]* or * [email protected].*
Irene V. Norville, U.S. Department of Energy (GC-76), Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Energy Delivery and Resilience, Forrestal Building, Room 6D-033, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, (240) 702-5679, *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
**Summary of Change in Control**
RGLNG 4 states that, pursuant to a transaction that closed on September 9, 2025 (Transaction), its upstream ownership has changed. RGLNG 4 states that, prior to the Transaction, it was an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of NextDecade LNG, LLC (NextDecade LNG). RGLNG 4 states that it will own the fourth liquefaction train (Train 4) at the Rio Grande LNG Terminal.
According the RGLNG 4, as a result of the Transaction, GIP V Velocity Aggregator T4, L.P. (GIP V Velocity), a limited partnership managed by a controlled affiliate of Global Infrastructure Management, LLC, and Global LNG North America Corp., a subsidiary of TotalEnergies SE, acquired 50 percent and 10 percent membership interests, respectively, in Rio Grande LNG Train 4 Intermediate Holdings, LLC (RGIH 4), which, in turn, indirectly owns 100 percent of RGLNG 4. [^1] RGLNG 4 states that, following consummation of the Transaction, NextDecade LNG remains the owner of 40 percent membership interest in RGIH 4, and its economic interest may increase to 60 percent (with GIP V Velocity's economic interest decreasing to 30%) upon GIP V Velocity's achievement of certain returns on its investment from Train 4. RGLNG 4 further states that NextDecade LNG will continue to be responsible for operations and maintenance at the Rio Grande LNG Terminal for the benefit of the Rio Grande Entities.
[^1] Due to the foreign economic interests resulting from the Transaction, RGLNG 4's change in control may require the approval of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). DOE expresses no opinion regarding the need for review by CFIUS. Additional information may be obtained at: *https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/international/the-committee-on-foreign-investment-in-the-united-states-cfius.*
Charts illustrating the ownership structure of RGLNG 4 before and after the Transaction are attached as appendices A and Appendix B to the Notice, posted on the DOE website at *www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-10/RGLNG%204%20CIC.pdf.*
**DOE Evaluation**
DOE will review the Notice in accordance with its CIC Procedures. [^2] Consistent with the CIC Procedures, this notice addresses Rio Grande Entities' existing authorization to export LNG to countries with which the United States has not entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas and with which trade is not prohibited by United States law or policy (non-FTA countries), granted in DOE/FECM Order No. 4492, as amended. [^3] If no interested person protests the change in control and DOE takes no action on its own motion, the proposed change in control will be deemed granted 30 days after publication in the *Federal Register* . If one or more protests are submitted, DOE will review any motions to intervene, protests, and answers, and will issue a determination as to whether the proposed change in control has been demonstrated to render the underlying authorizations inconsistent with the public interest.
[^2] 79 FR 65541 (Nov. 5, 2014).
[^3] RGLNG 4's Notice also applies to the company's existing authorization to export LNG to FTA countries in the same docket. DOE will respond to that portion of the filing separately pursuant to the CIC Procedures, 79 FR 65542.
**Public Comment Procedures**
Interested persons will be provided 15 days from the date of publication of this notice in the *Federal Register* to move to intervene, protest, and answer Rio Grande Entities' Notice. [^4] Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written comments are invited in response to this notice only as to the change in control described in the Notice. All protests, comments, motions to intervene, or notices of intervention must meet the requirements specified by DOE's regulations in 10 CFR part 590, including the service requirements.
[^4] Intervention, if granted, would constitute intervention only in the change in control portion of these proceedings, as described herein.
Filings may be submitted using one of the following methods:
(1) Submitting the filing electronically at *[email protected];*
(2) Mailing the filing to the Office of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement at the address listed in the *ADDRESSES* section; or
(3) Hand delivering the filing to the Office of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement at the address listed in the *ADDRESSES* section.
For administrative efficiency, DOE prefers filings to be filed electronically. All filings must include a reference to “Docket No. 15-190-LNG” in the title line, or “Rio Grande LNG Train 4 Change in Control” in the title line. Filings must be submitted in English to be considered. [^5]
[^5] Executive Order 14224 of March 1, 2025, *Designating English as the Official Language of the United States,* 90 FR 11363 (Mar. 6, 2025).
*For electronic submissions:* Please include all related documents and attachments ( *e.g.,* exhibits) in the original email correspondence. Please do not include any active hyperlinks or password protection in any of the documents or attachments related to the filing. All electronic filings submitted to DOE must follow these guidelines to ensure that all documents are filed in a timely manner.
The Notice, and any filed protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and comments will be available electronically on the DOE website at *www.energy.gov/fecm/regulation.*
Signed in Washington, DC, on November 14, 2025.
Amy R. Sweeney,
Director, Office of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement, Office of Resource Sustainability.