Media Contact:
Rebekah Staub, Earthworks, rstaub@earthworks.org
Decision contradicts agency’s commitment to environmental justice, climate change
If built, it could be the country’s largest offshore oil export project and would emit more than 100 million tons of greenhouse gasses per year
WASHINGTON — Today, EPA Region 6 recommended the U.S. approve Texas GulfLink, a massive offshore oil export project proposed in Brazoria County, Texas that could be the largest of its kind. This recommendation stands in stark contrast to the EPA’s stated commitment to stand against environmental racism and tackle the climate crisis.
In a letter sent to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), Regional Administrator Earthea Nance said that the “EPA recommends continued emphasis on ensuring environmental justice and climate change considerations be included in the licensing project for the protection of overburdened communities.” The recommendation for approval comes after a 5-year public participation process that generated widespread opposition to the project from residents, local organizations and their allies, local governments, and lawmakers because the project would pollute overburdened communities, destroy marine environments, and worsen the climate crisis.
This is the second time EPA Region 6 has supported new offshore oil export projects in the Gulf of Mexico. In April, MARAD approved the deepwater port license for the Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT) after the EPA recommended approval. SPOT and Texas GulfLink are both proposed in Freeport, Texas and the surrounding area which bears one of the most environmentally unjust pollution burdens in the nation. GulfLink alone would be responsible for more than 100 million tons of upstream and downstream greenhouse gas emissions per year.
The EPA’s input is part of the deepwater port licensing process. MARAD now has until Dec. 12 to issue their Record of Decision for Texas GulfLink. Texas GulfLink is one of three pending applications for offshore oil export projects in the Gulf of Mexico.
In response to the EPA’s recommendation, residents of the Texas Gulf Coast issued the following statements:
Melanie Oldham, Freeport resident and director of Better Brazoria, said:
“What will it take for the EPA to listen to and protect sacrificed communities from a project like Texas GulfLink? Since 2019, I have been working with my community in Jones Creek and Surfside, Texas, to oppose Sentinel Midstream’s deepwater crude oil export terminal, Texas Gulflink. Recently, I had the chance to meet with Dr. Nance, EPA Region 6 Administrator, and staff, who stated that after extensive analysis their office plans to recommend approval of the project’s deepwater port license. I was shocked and disappointed to learn this, since the EPA already approved the SPOT deepwater terminal nearby. EPA Region 6 is Brazoria County’s last hope to protect our air quality and prevent worsened health outcomes and deaths. Have they ever sided with community members who rightly oppose oil export projects?”
Sue Page, Surfside resident, said:
“I’m extremely disappointed to learn the EPA recommended this project. The government is supposed to look out for all of its citizens and do its due diligence, and this project would only perpetuate harm to our community.”
Manning Rollerson, Freeport resident and director of Freeport Haven Project, said:
“The Texas GulfLink project creates uncertainty in Brazoria County and the surrounding community. There are valid concerns about construction. They are in an area without federal monitoring. The proper protocols from regulatory agencies such as inspections and accountability are lacking. There is a huge risk for leaks into the water and air with limited accountability. The project is only 30 miles from the shores. They can’t safely construct on land, there’s no guarantee the infrastructure can withstand strong currents or extreme weather such as hurricanes. Moving the project to the ocean will be a disaster for our community.”
Joanie Steinhaus, Galveston resident and ocean director for Turtle Island Restoration Network said:
“Once again the EPA put industry over people. This project will have substantial impacts on a community already overburdened by pollution and within eight miles of another export facility that was recently approved by the Biden administration. The greenhouse gases released will only increase the dangers of the climate crisis.”
