Texas Southmost College hosted students, faculty, and community members in its SET-B Lecture Hall on Friday, October 2, 2025, for a special LNG (liquefied natural gas) Safety Demonstration and Open House.
The event was facilitated by NextDecade, the energy company behind the development of the Rio Grande LNG facility, as part of an effort to build stronger engagement with the community and explain the science and safety practices behind LNG.
The highlight of the morning was a live demonstration led by engineer Patrick Couch, who explained what LNG is, how it is processed, and the many safety systems that guide its handling. Couch used LNG poured from a small container to showcase its unique properties, even inviting audience members to participate to underscore that LNG can be managed safely when proper procedures are followed. After mixing a concoction of water and LNG in a beaker, Couch boiled off the LNG, and to the astonishment of the audience, drank the ice water that remained to no ill effect.
In addition to science and safety, the demonstration spotlighted the economic impact of Rio Grande LNG. Much of this workforce is being recruited through Bechtel, the global construction company contracted for the project, which itself employs many Texas Southmost College graduates. Welders and pipefitters trained through TSC’s workforce programs are among those contributing their skills directly to the ongoing build, underscoring the strong career pipeline between local education and industry.
A key purpose of these demonstrations has been to better educate the community about LNG to help replace any uncertainty with knowledge and trust. So far, NextDecade Senior Director of Communications Susan Richardson feels that the community has been receptive.
“Over three years that we’ve been doing these demonstrations, we’ve connected with around 4000 people in the Rio Grande Valley, the majority of which have been students at college and high school levels. These sessions have been an effective way for us to dispel any myths about LNG by showing people the different properties of it during the demonstrations, as well ensuring that community that we are here to engage in discussion, foster communication, and make sure that people know who we are by meeting with them during these sessions.”
By hosting this demonstration and open house, TSC and NextDecade showcased both the technical aspects of LNG safety and the broader opportunities the industry brings to South Texas. For students, the event offered a firsthand look at the science, skills, and career paths tied to LNG, reinforcing how education, construction partners like Bechtel, and industry leaders can work together to open doors to stable, high-demand professions.
Open House & LNG Safety Demonstration
Open House & LNG Safety Demonstration
