WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation moved aggressively on energy and roadway safety this month, approving a major offshore oil export terminal in the Gulf of Mexico while removing nearly 2,000 unsafe truck drivers and vehicles from U.S. highways in a sweeping, multi-state enforcement operation.
On February 3, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that Texas GulfLink, LLC has received a federal license to own, construct, and operate a deepwater port for crude oil exports — the first such authorization issued under President Donald J. Trump’s Unleashing American Energy executive order.
Federal officials said the offshore terminal, to be located about 26.6 nautical miles off the coast of Brazoria County, Texas, will be capable of exporting up to 1 million barrels of crude oil per day, supporting up to 720 construction and operations jobs, and accommodating Very Large Crude Carriers that cannot be efficiently loaded in nearshore waters. The project is expected to ease congestion along the Texas coast and strengthen energy supply lines to U.S. allies.
The Maritime Administration coordinated the license review with the U.S. Coast Guard, multiple federal agencies, and the State of Texas, concluding the project met safety, security, and environmental standards. Officials said the approval marks a significant step in restoring U.S. maritime and energy dominance by allowing American oil to reach global markets more quickly and without reliance on foreign infrastructure.
Just days later, on February 6, Duffy announced the results of the first wave of Operation SafeDRIVE, a high-visibility enforcement and education effort led by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in partnership with state and local law enforcement.
During the three-day operation, inspectors conducted 8,215 commercial vehicle inspections across 26 states and the District of Columbia, placing 704 drivers and 1,231 vehicles out of service. Nearly 500 drivers were sidelined for English proficiency violations, and enforcement actions led to 56 arrests, including cases involving impaired driving and illegal presence in the United States.
Operation SafeDRIVE focused on major freight corridors and high-risk locations, targeting unqualified drivers, unsafe vehicles, and violations that federal officials say contribute to crashes involving large trucks and buses. The effort covered states ranging from Texas and Pennsylvania to Florida, New York, and California, underscoring what officials described as a coordinated, nationwide push to improve road safety.
Transportation officials said the dual actions — accelerating energy exports while tightening highway enforcement — reflect a broader administration strategy to strengthen economic competitiveness and public safety at the same time, using regulatory authority to remove bottlenecks and hazards across critical transportation systems.
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