Off the coast of Freeport, Texas, a dangerous project is bubbling beneath the surface—literally. The Sea Port Oil Terminal, better known as SPOT, has been billed as the next big thing for U.S. oil exports. But make no mistake: SPOT isn’t a solution. It’s a false solution to our energy needs that risks poisoning the environment, hurting local communities, and deepening our dependence on fossil fuels.

And here’s the kicker—it might not even happen.

What Is SPOT, and Why Should You Care?

SPOT is a proposed deepwater oil export terminal that would sit about 30 miles off the coast of Freeport. If built, it would become one of the largest oil export terminals in the U.S., capable of loading two massive oil tankers (called VLCCs) at the same time. These floating giants can each carry 2 million barrels of crude oil—that’s a lot of dirty energy.

Enterprise Products Partners, the company behind SPOT, says the terminal would help get more U.S. oil onto the global market. What they don’t say is what it would do to the Gulf, our climate, and the communities along the Texas coast.

SPOT the Risks

Let’s start with the obvious red flags:

• More oil exports = more drilling, more pollution, and more climate chaos. SPOT would be a fossil fuel superhighway at a time when we desperately need to take the next off-ramp.
• Oil spills aren’t a maybe—they’re a when. Every transfer of oil at sea carries a spill risk. And with SPOT operating miles offshore, cleanup would be slower and harder, especially in rough weather.
• Wildlife is at risk. SPOT’s operations would disturb whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and fish. Loud underwater noise from tankers interferes with marine life, and spills could devastate sensitive habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds.
• Communities of color near the pipelines and tank farms bear the brunt of the pollution. These neighborhoods already face higher asthma and cancer risks—and SPOT would make things worse.

And yet, despite all these dangers, the Biden administration approved SPOT in April 2024.

“This terminal threatens Gulf Coast communities, accelerates climate change, and puts marine life at risk—all so oil companies can make more money,” said Sierra Club attorney Kristen Monsell in a statement following the approval.

Source: AP News – Biden Admin Approves Huge Oil Export Terminal

A Boondoggle in the Making?

Here’s where it gets interesting. In February 2025, Enterprise’s own CEO admitted that SPOT might not move forward—not because of environmental opposition, but because they can’t find buyers.

“If we don’t get the commitments, we’ll move on,” said CEO Jim Teague in an investor call.

Source: Pipeline & Gas Journal – Project Stalls on Lack of Buyers

Let that sink in. SPOT was approved, despite major public opposition and environmental concerns, and it may flop anyway. Yet taxpayers and communities are still footing the environmental and safety bill.

Better Solutions Exist—So Why SPOT?

We don’t need more export terminals. We need better solutions:

• Community solar and rooftop solar that put power (literally) in people’s hands
• Battery storage and virtual power plants to stabilize the grid without fossil fuels
• Good union jobs building wind, solar, and clean transportation infrastructure
• Restoration of coastal wetlands, which protect communities from hurricanes and absorb carbon naturally

SPOT is a dead-end road paved with industry profits and public pain. We should be investing in great solutions that create jobs, clean up the air, and protect the Gulf—not locking in decades more pollution.

Take Action

The fight isn’t over. Environmental groups like the Sierra Club, Earthworks, and the Center for Biological Diversity are still challenging SPOT in court. Local organizers in Texas are spreading the word and pushing back.

And you can help.

• Spread the truth about SPOT.
• Sign petitions. Call your representatives.
• Support clean energy policies and local resilience projects.

Let’s SPOT the lies—and shine a light on real solutions.