Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the Port of Brownsville on Aug. 4, meeting with the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners, port leadership, elected officials, industry representatives, education partners and other stakeholders during an industry roundtable focused on the region’s expanding role in the nation’s energy sector.
According to the Port of Brownsville, the discussions centered on the port’s growing importance in liquefied natural gas exports, SpaceX operations and the development of the first new major U.S. oil refinery built in more than 50 years. The visit also included a boat tour of the Brownsville Ship Channel, where Wright viewed port operations and infrastructure projects that officials said are contributing to economic growth and job creation across South Texas.
During the visit, Wright described the administration’s energy priorities and their connection to industrial investment.
“In the simplest terms, I’d say, the Trump administration’s goal is to build big things in America again,” Wright said. “Leaning in on our energy industry, broad energy production in this country, use that energy, power global industries, as industries spring up, and growth, to scale around Brownsville, and export that energy to our friends and allies all around the world. We are thrilled to see the range of large projects, the major investments in job creation going around Brownsville.”
The Port of Brownsville said the secretary’s visit accentuated the port’s longstanding role in the nation’s energy sector and its growing position as a center for advanced manufacturing, energy investment and infrastructure development.
During a press conference in Brownsville, Wright also discussed national energy policy, saying he expects U.S. fuel prices to decline in the coming weeks. According to Reuters, he cited the expected extension of a Jones Act waiver that he said has already helped lower energy costs in parts of the United States.
The Port of Brownsville is one of the nation’s leading deepwater ports and continues to serve as a gateway for energy exports, manufacturing, commercial trade and industrial development along the U.S.-Mexico border.
