The construction of the Texas GulfLink Deepwater Port is crucial for the United States oil industry, as it would allow the transportation of large amounts of energy in and out of the country. The proposed port in Brazoria County, Texas, would have the capacity to load up to 85,000 barrels of crude oil per hour, facilitating transportation on large ships.
According to Duffy, the project is essential to ensure the viability of energy transportation, despite the objections raised by environmental activists. They have pressured former President Joe Biden to stop projects like GulfLink, arguing that they would negatively impact environmental justice and the fight against climate change.
Despite these concerns, the Environmental Protection Agency authorized the GulfLink project in Texas in October, and in April approved an export facility by Enterprise Products Partners LP capable of exporting 2 million barrels of oil per day.
In line with the energy policy of the previous administration, President Donald Trump created a National Energy Dominance Council aimed at boosting the production and distribution of oil, gas, and electricity in the United States. This council, led by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, seeks to streamline permitting and the production of energy resources in the country.
Trump has emphasized the importance of national energy production as a strategic asset, presenting oil surplus as a factor of economic and geopolitical power for the United States. On the other hand, he has stressed the need for reliable and affordable electricity to compete in the global technology race, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.