Fermi America announced today that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has granted final approval for the nation’s second largest Clean Air Permit, enabling 6 gigawatts (GW) of clean natural gas-based power generation at its 11 GW Project Matador campus.
The permit confirms that Project Matador meets both state and federal emissions standards, marking a key regulatory milestone that allows Fermi America to begin vertical construction of power generation facilities. Air permitting is one of the longest lead-time approvals in large-scale energy infrastructure, and securing it positions the project to move into final stages of financing and tenant agreements.
Fermi America plans to deploy its Siemens Energy SGT-800 gas turbine fleet, consisting of six assets currently in the Port of Houston, to the Amarillo campus as construction ramps up.
The project aims to support growing electricity demand driven by factors including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, industrial electrification, electric vehicle adoption, and digital economy expansion. Project Matador is designed as a gigawatt-scale platform to provide dedicated, scalable generation for large commercial and industrial users while maintaining compliance with air quality standards.
Toby Neugebauer, Co-Founder and CEO of Fermi America, commented on the milestone:
"When it comes to responsible, scalable energy production, it's no surprise that Texas is leading the way. We appreciate Governor Abbott's leadership, the State of Texas, and the TCEQ for their diligence in this process, while protecting the grid and ensuring that Texas ratepayers aren't left footing the bill for private AI power demand. And we are grateful for the incredible support of the Amarillo community, where we look forward to adding thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the region's economy."
Cathy Landtroop, Chief Communications Officer and Director of Strategic Initiatives at Fermi America, added:
"Securing the second largest Clean Air Permit in the country is yet one more significant milestone for our 11 GW private grid campus. With the issuance of today's air permit, the support of our fellow West Texans, and Toby's foresight to lock up over 2 GW of long lead time power assets, Fermi is uniquely positioned to help America's hyperscalers quickly secure the private power they need at scale."
The permit followed a comprehensive environmental and public review, including technical evaluation by TCEQ engineers, air quality modeling, and a public comment period. Final approval confirms that the project meets applicable requirements under Texas law and the federal Clean Air Act, with protections in place for public health and the environment.
