Breaking news: White House says new $300B oil refinery coming to Brownsville — the first to be built in the U.S. in 50 years

7:05 p.m. update:

Brownsville Mayor John Cowen said a groundbreaking ceremony is expected in April.

According to Cowen, the refinery will process American light shale oil from the Permian Basin under a 20-year agreement to purchase and process 1.2 billion barrels of U.S. shale oil, valued at approximately $125 billion.

The facility is expected to produce up to 50 billion gallons of refined petroleum products valued at roughly $175 billion, he said.

6:30 p.m. update:

The Port of Brownsville welcomed the announcement Tuesday, saying the refinery project has been under development for more than a decade.

“We are pleased to see this long-planned investment moving toward fruition and thank President Donald J. Trump and his administration for their support in advancing opportunities that strengthen America’s energy infrastructure,” the statement said. 

The project represents an exciting step forward for the region, the statement continued. 

“Our Port leadership remains committed to attracting transformative investments that create good-paying jobs and expand economic opportunity for the people of the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas,” the statement said. 

Cowen said the announcement demonstrates the city is leading the charge for business expansion and job growth in South Texas.  

“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,” Cowen said. “I congratulate the Port of Brownsville for securing this historic project.”

Original post 5:15 p.m.

The White House said Tuesday that a new oil refinery is planned for Brownsville — which it described as the first new refinery built in the United States in five decades.

In a post on the White House’s official social media account, President Donald J. Trump said the project would be developed by America First Refining in Brownsville.

“America is returning to REAL ENERGY DOMINANCE!” Trump wrote. “Today I am proud to announce that America First Refining is opening the FIRST new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas.”

The statement described the project as a $300 billion investment and said the refinery would be located at the Port of Brownsville.

A spokesperson for the port said they weren’t fully aware of the project, and learned about the news from Trump’s announcement on Tuesday. They did indicate there is space for growth at the port.  

Trump said the facility would strengthen U.S. energy production, support exports, and generate economic activity in South Texas.

“This is a historic $300 billion dollar deal — the biggest in U.S. history,” the statement said. “A new refinery at the Port of Brownsville will fuel U.S. markets, strengthen our national security, boost American energy production, and deliver billions of dollars in economic impact.”

The White House post said the project would create “thousands of long overdue jobs and growth to a region that deserves it.”

No additional details about the proposed refinery — including timelines, permitting status, financing structure, or confirmation from the Port of Brownsville or project developers — were immediately available.

The announcement also said the investment involves partners in India, including a privately held energy company called Reliance.

Major oil refineries are rarely built in the United States due to regulatory complexity, high construction costs, and long permitting timelines. Most refinery investment in recent decades has focused on expanding existing facilities rather than constructing entirely new plants.

Check back later for updates on this developing story.