The city of Brownsville is set to become home to the first new American oil refinery in almost five decades, a development hailed by proponents as a major boost to national energy security and the local economy.
The refinery will be built by America First Refining, with investment from India’s Reliance Industries, according to a post on Truth Social by former President Donald Trump. In his post, Trump highlighted the refinery’s significance:
“A new Refinery at the Port of Brownsville, will fuel U.S. Markets, strengthen our National Security, boost American Energy production, deliver Billions of Dollars in Economic impact, and will be THE CLEANEST REFINERY IN THE WORLD.”
Construction is expected to break ground in April 2026. The facility will process crude oil sourced from the Permian Basin in West Texas, producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. It will utilize advanced technologies designed to be cleaner and more efficient than existing refineries, with a projected capacity of about 60 billion barrels per year.
“For the first time in half a century, the United States will build a new refinery designed specifically for American shale oil,” said John V. Calce, founder and chairman of America First Refining, in a press statement.
The refinery project has been in development since at least 2024, when Element Fuels — of which America First Refining is a project — announced the completion of site preparation and pre-construction for a hydrogen-powered refinery and combined-cycle power plant at the Port of Brownsville. At that time, the plant was expected to be operational in 2027.
The Port of Brownsville, a deep-water port on the southern tip of Texas bordering Mexico, already hosts export facilities for liquefied natural gas and other energy infrastructure. The refinery will occupy 240 acres and feature six liquid cargo docks, 13 general cargo docks, direct rail connections, and specialized road access. According to America First Refining’s website, the location allows for “significantly shorter vessel wait times compared to other major Texas ports.”
Local officials have welcomed the announcement. Brownsville Mayor John Cowen said:
“This announcement demonstrates that Brownsville is leading the charge for business expansion and job growth in South Texas. We congratulate the Port of Brownsville for securing this historic project. Investments of this scale strengthen our local economy, create quality jobs for our residents, and reinforce Brownsville’s position as one of the most important energy and trade gateways in the United States.”
The refinery company also plans to collaborate with local authorities to provide affordable housing, apprenticeships, and other initiatives supporting regional economic growth.
Calce emphasized the broader national impact:
“Thanks to President Trump's leadership and the resurgence of an America First energy policy, we are creating thousands of high-quality jobs while ensuring more of our nation's energy resources are refined here at home in the cleanest, most efficient refinery on the planet.”
