Special to El Rrun-Rrun
County Judge emphasizes economic opportunity while urging careful planning and public
accountability.
Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. today released a statement addressing the proposed refinery project at the Port of Brownsville, emphasizing both the potential economic opportunity and the need for transparency, environmental protection, and responsible planning as the region prepares for possible rapid growth.
Judge Treviño said the development could bring significant economic activity and jobs to South Texas, but he cautioned that the community must take time to fully understand the scale and implications of the project.
“I took my time to digest this before making a statement, because we need to pause for a moment and truly analyze what may be about to happen in Cameron County,” Treviño said. “Let me be clear. I am in favor of this. This could be a good thing for Cameron County and could bring significant investment and opportunity to our region.”
The proposed refinery has been described as the first new U.S. refinery in nearly 50 years and could create thousands of construction and permanent jobs if completed.However, Treviño stressed that a project of this magnitude would fundamentally change the region.
“If developments like this move forward as expected, Cameron County is on the path to becoming a major metropolitan area, much like Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio,” Treviño said.
“That means more opportunity, but it also means more people, higher home values, more demand on infrastructure, and greater pressure on housing and property taxes.”
Treviño also emphasized that environmental protection must remain a priority as the project moves forward.
Judge Treviño said the development could bring significant economic activity and jobs to South Texas, but he cautioned that the community must take time to fully understand the scale and implications of the project.
“I took my time to digest this before making a statement, because we need to pause for a moment and truly analyze what may be about to happen in Cameron County,” Treviño said. “Let me be clear. I am in favor of this. This could be a good thing for Cameron County and could bring significant investment and opportunity to our region.”
The proposed refinery has been described as the first new U.S. refinery in nearly 50 years and could create thousands of construction and permanent jobs if completed.However, Treviño stressed that a project of this magnitude would fundamentally change the region.
“If developments like this move forward as expected, Cameron County is on the path to becoming a major metropolitan area, much like Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio,” Treviño said.
“That means more opportunity, but it also means more people, higher home values, more demand on infrastructure, and greater pressure on housing and property taxes.”
Treviño also emphasized that environmental protection must remain a priority as the project moves forward.
“We must also be mindful of the environmental impact that a project of this scale could have on our region,” he said. “We must remain vigilant in protecting our land, our air, and our water, The County Judge also raised concerns about transparency surrounding the project’s announcement, noting that port officials have indicated the refinery has been under discussion for years.
“If this project has truly ben in the works for many years, it is fair to the citizens of Cameron County to ask why the community is only now hearing about it in such a sudden way,” Treviño said. “Projects of this magnitude do not happen overnight. Our residents deserve to be informed and engaged in conversations that will shape the future of our region.”
Treviño also pointed to inconsistencies in how the scale of the project has been communicated.
“Numbers shift from hundred of billions to billions, people deserve clear and honest answers.”
The County Judge also made clear that he does not support offering tax incentives to the project.
“And let me be clear on one more thing: I will not support tax incentives for this project. Since this project has been announced and is supposedly coming to the Port of Brownsville and we are no longer competing with any other area for this project; it should stand on its own, without asking taxpayers to subsidize it.”
Treviño concluded by emphasizing that progress of this scale is the result of years of work by many leaders across the region.
“This is also not the work of any one person. Progress of this magnitude is always the result of years of effort by many, from local leaders and institutions to state and federal partners. No single individual should claim credit for a project of this size.”
“As we look ahead, we must reflect on both the promise and the responsibility that comes with this opportunity,” Treviño said. “This could be a historic moment for Cameron County, but only if we prepare responsibly, communicate transparently, and move forward together as a community.”
6 comments:
I drive from SPI to Brownsville at 6 am for work.
The traffic going from Brownsville to the port, LNG and SPI on hwy 48 is like never before. Yes that's progress and that's not counting the workers that use hwy 100to get to SPI amd LNG or the port ( those coming from the rest of the valley) those roads will nit handle the traffic once the refinery happens.
Eddie Trevino wants Cameron County to think before the refinery gets all the permits. I wonder if Space X would have been allowed to establish itself at Boca Chica if Trevino had been in charge of the region back in the days.
Those are my concerns as well Eddie. Keep Cameron County viable, unpolluted, and prosperous.
Let's poison the water and destroy our ecosystem for a little money. Maybe we can fix a road with it.
Maybe we can convert that downtown HEB in Brownsville into a scrap metal yard or a huachicolero. Zavaletta realty could do it, they have, no? They can rezone that area Industrial. He's a real smart guy.
The word is out that Brownsville has an ignorant population with corrupt politicians. Easy pickings for any company wanting to relocate to this area. Maybe next we can have a few nuclear reactors built by the Port. A lot of jobs but for who?
Looks like little Eddie bullshitting again how about Tenaska when did you know this project was bad for ratepayers you let them down again,like 3 elections for bullshit arena who's stupid enough to vote for this liar
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