Port of Brownsville Announces New Refinery, First on the U.S. Gulf Coast in Nearly 50 Years

The Port of Brownsville announced the America First Refining project, a new oil refinery that would become the first one built on the U.S. Gulf Coast in nearly 50 years, further reinforcing South Texas as a strategic node for the energy industry.

The official announcement was made during a press conference at the port’s administrative offices, after the project was referenced on March 10, 2026, by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media.

The refinery will be built on more than 240 acres within the port and is designed to process 100% U.S.-sourced shale oil using advanced hydrogen-powered systems to produce ultra-low-carbon fuels, according to the port and the developer.

According to America First Refining, the project is expected to generate 500 permanent direct jobs, with annual salaries estimated between US$80,000 and US$100,000, in addition to thousands of indirect jobs linked to construction, logistics, and long-term industrial operations. The project has been described as one of the most significant energy investments announced in South Texas in recent years.

Port infrastructure strengthens South Texas energy position

Esteban “Steve” Guerra, Chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District, said the selection of the port reflects the region’s industrial and logistics capabilities. The port highlighted its available land, industrial infrastructure, workforce base, and operational readiness as central advantages behind the project.

William Dietrich, Director and CEO of the Port of Brownsville, said the refinery strengthens the port’s position as a strategic energy logistics center in the United States. The project will leverage the port’s deepwater channel access, direct dock and rail connectivity, cargo-handling capabilities, and foreign trade zone advantages, all of which have supported its growth as an industrial corridor on the Gulf Coast.

Permitting, environmental review, and project outlook

America First Refining said the facility will incorporate hydrogen-based technology and cleaner-fuels systems designed to reduce emissions and meet, or potentially exceed, federal and state environmental requirements. The company is currently working with federal, state, and local agencies to obtain the necessary environmental permits.

The port noted that it has experience with complex federal review processes, including large-scale energy projects requiring extensive oversight. Both the port and the developer said protection of coastal ecosystems, waterways, and community health will remain a priority throughout the permitting and construction process.

At the same time, outside reporting has noted that some analysts remain cautious about the refinery’s scale, economics, and permitting path, even as the announcement has drawn major national attention.