Media Contact:
Rebekah Staub, Earthworks, rstaub@earthworks.org
WASHINGTON — On Feb. 14, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the Maritime Administration (MARAD) approved the deepwater port license for Texas GulfLink, a massive project proposed in Brazoria County, Texas that could increase pollution in communities already exposed to some of the highest levels of pollution in the U.S.
The applicant, Sentinel Midstream, must meet conditions outlined in the Record of Decision (ROD) before construction begins. In December, MARAD delayed issuing the ROD because they were still reviewing the more than 44,000 public comments submitted to the project’s final environmental impact statement.
The announcement comes after a six-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 poison overburdened communities, destroy marine environments, and worsen the climate crisis. GulfLink alone would be responsible for more than 100 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
The announcement also follows the final approval of the deepwater port license for the Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT), another historically massive offshore oil export terminal proposed just 7 nautical miles from Texas GulfLink. During a recent post-earnings conference call, Enterprise Products Partners announced that their SPOT project lacks sufficient customer interest to move forward with commercialization.
Despite the Trump administration’s best efforts to boost fossil fuels, other oil and gas projects are facing similar challenges in securing buyers and becoming financially viable. United States production of oil and gas is already at a record high, and global demand for fossil fuels is expected to peak in the next five years.
In response to GulfLink’s record of decision, residents of Brazoria County and their allies issued the following statements:
Sue Page, Surfside, TX, resident, said:
“It’s disappointing that the community who is most impacted by the Texas GulfLink has been minimized by the approval of this project. This area currently houses a tremendous number of industries and pipelines. I wonder if pipeline approvals will continue until the area is totally blighted. The disregard for the environment is evident in the approval of this project. I wonder why the comments and concerns of residents who are forced to live with the results of this project are dismissed as evidenced by the project’s approval. I feel as if we don’t matter because our pockets are not lined with millions of dollars.”
Melanie Oldham, Freeport, TX, resident and director of Better Brazoria, said:
“Better Brazoria, residents of Jones Creek and Freeport, and many environmental allies have opposed this oil export project since 2019. We are beyond disappointed that the Trump-led agencies have ignored tens of thousands of comments in opposition of this harmful, unneeded project, and ignored the fact that SPOT was also approved to be built in the same communities on the Texas Gulf Coast. It’s unbelievable to know that the same federal agencies recently permitted SPOT near the Village of Surfside and Freeport, and now both projects could be built in southern Brazoria County. Considering that Brazoria County is a severe nonattainment area for ozone, VOCs, and nitrogen oxides, why would they approve these two projects which will increase VOC emissions in our communities and contribute severely to harming our health?”
Gwen Jones, a life-long resident of Freeport and director of Climate Conversations Brazoria County, said:
“The government’s legacy for all to see is that they put corporate profit over human life. The Trump Administration has a chance to show people they care about children, safety, and climate change, but all this project will do is destroy future generations and the Earth.”
Manning Rollerson, Freeport resident and director of Freeport Haven Project, said:
“The GulfLink terminal is not going to bring any benefit to us. Our communities are in shutters, especially Freeport, because every industry in Freeport is a toxic industry. Everywhere there is an energy facility, a pipeline, or a tank farm, communities are dying. We already have issues with LNG facilities not being forthcoming, they’ve been leaking for months and months without letting the community know what’s going on. There is no economic or population growth here. The burden is on the people, there’s no accountability, there’s all kinds of problems. Why would we want another fossil fuel project in our community when we are surrounded by others that are making us sick? How can we get guarantees from the regulators that while these standards are being put in place they are being overseen while there’s a lack of trust and leadership in this county?”
Roishetta Ozane, Co-Director of Gulf South Fossil Finance Hub, said:
“The recent approval by the Maritime Administration for the Texas GulfLink deepwater port serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for the federal government and elected officials to prioritize environmental justice and climate action. Instead of endorsing projects that could become the second largest offshore oil export terminal in U.S. history, our leaders should be championing sustainable alternatives that protect overburdened communities from further pollution and environmental degradation. With Texas GulfLink projected to emit over 100 million tons of greenhouse gases each year, it is imperative that officials take a stand against this reckless expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Our government must focus on creating policies that foster clean energy solutions, safeguard our marine environments, and address the climate crisis head-on, rather than perpetuating a system that endangers both our communities and the planet for future generations.”
Joanie Steinhaus, Ocean Program Director of Turtle Island Restoration Network, said:
“This project, within seven miles to the recently approved Sea Port Oil Terminal, poses significant environmental risks including oil spills, destruction of coastal wetlands, and threats to ecosystems and communities. Approving GulfLink entrenches fossil fuel dependence, increases pollution, and harms Gulf communities already facing climate disasters, without benefiting local residents. Brazoria County, the site for GulfLink, already fails to meet national clean air standards for ozone, a pollutant linked to respiratory problems. These communities, already experiencing the harmful impacts of the climate crisis caused by fossil fuel emissions, suffer from higher rates of asthma, respiratory illness, and cancer. Once again MARAD supports industry over protection of people and places.”
Lauren Parker, Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute, said:
“Approving massively polluting projects like Texas Gulflink shows that the Trump administration doesn’t care about anything besides making more money for Big Oil. It’s disturbing to see such blatant disregard for the people and wildlife of the Texas Gulf Coast. When combined with the recently approved SPOT terminal, this decision will further worsen the air quality and public health concerns in the region. This project would entrench climate-damaging crude oil exports right when they need to be phased out, and could push animals like the Rice’s whale to extinction.”
Devorah Ancel, Sierra Club Senior Attorney, said:
“In issuing this decision, MARAD failed to adequately consider the clear evidence that GulfLink will significantly harm Gulf communities, the climate, and vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife. Despite its duty to look at the whole picture of pollution, it’s clear MARAD ignored the cumulative impacts of GulfLink just as it did when approving the similarly massive Sea Port Oil Terminal. Industry should not be allowed to subject Gulf communities and the climate to even more harmful pollution just to send an exorbitant amount of oil overseas.”
Allie Rosenbluth, United States Campaign Manager, Oil Change International:
“The Trump administration’s approval of the GulfLink oil export terminal demonstrates that this willing to sacrifice the health of Gulf South communities and put us all at greater risk of extreme hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts – all to reward Trump’s fossil fuel donors. The United States is already the world’s largest exporter of oil and gas. Any new fossil fuel project is incompatible with a livable climate. To prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis, we need a just and clean energy future, not more mega-polluting fossil fuel projects like GulfLink.”
Rodney Brown, Texas Gulf Coast Campaigner, Earthworks:
“The federal government has failed to recognize that in these swiftly changing times, climate change and environmental justice is a priority for its residents. Brazoria County has stood united beyond race, class, and political affiliation to take a stand against the exploitation of their community through the development of oil and gas infrastructure. Texas GulfLink serves no purpose other than to extract resources from overburdened communities to increase the profit margin for investors. The Trump administration is rewarding climate change deniers and Wall Street cronies over the patriotic and dedicated people of Texas.”
Mike Brown, Senior Attorney, Earthjustice:
“This project is too dirty, too dangerous, and not even necessary as many major trade partners transition from burning oil. Our partners in Brazoria County raised serious concerns for their communities, and they were broadly ignored by this agency. GulfLink will not unleash any energy for Americans, but it will unleash more climate destroying crude oil overseas in a world that doesn’t want it.”