U.S. Representative Michael Cloud (R) highlighted the growing role of Corpus Christi and South Texas energy exports during remarks before the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, pressing for faster permitting reforms and solutions to regional water shortages.
Rep. Cloud, who serves as vice chair of the subcommittee, questioned Energy Secretary Chris Wright during the panel's first budget hearing for fiscal year 2027.
In his opening remarks, Cloud framed domestic energy production as central to America's long-term competition with China.
"One of the important things, in this context, is that you and the President inherited a paradigm where China was outpacing us for world dominance for the next century," said Cloud. "The keys to that... really come down to energy production."
Cloud also raised a growing challenge facing the Coastal Bend region, which happened to be the water supply constraints tied to rapid industrial growth.
"We do have a situation right now in Corpus... we're running out of water," Cloud told Wright, asking what the Department of Energy could do in coordination with other agencies to help address the issue.
Wright responded by calling Texas' 27th Congressional District essential to U.S. energy security and export capacity.
"Your district there in Corpus is absolutely essential," said Wright. "Not only for American energy production, but of course it is our biggest gateway to ship crude oil abroad, and a huge gateway to ship LNG abroad."
Corpus Christi has become one of the nation's most important energy hubs, handling large volumes of crude oil exports and liquefied natural gas shipments to global markets.
Wright also emphasized the need for faster development and permitting across the country.
"It's easy to stop something. It's hard to build something," he said. "We have to be able to build things in America again."
The hearing comes as Congress begins shaping the FY27 appropriations process, with energy infrastructure, grid reliability, and industrial competitiveness expected to be major priorities.
Cloud's exchange with Wright underscored how South Texas sits at the center of America's energy strategy, and how water, infrastructure, and permitting reforms may determine how much further that growth can go.
