"As Texas dedicates itself to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to support the TxEDC as it works to promote the economic vitality and international presence of the state," said Jeffrey W. Martin, Chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Texas leaders to grow and expand the state's leading position in the worldwide energy landscape. Our company is focused on developing critical energy infrastructure needed to support the Texas economy and the transformation of America into a leader in energy exports."
The work of the TxEDC is a key part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott's economic development plan to make Texas a stronger state.
"The state of Texas is grateful for Sempra Energy's continued partnership to help strengthen the Texas economy and improve the livelihoods of all Texans," Abbott said. "Texas remains the best state in the nation for business because of partners like Sempra Energy, and we welcome this decision to join the TxEDC. The TxEDC plays a vital role in attracting more investments to Texas, creating more jobs, and empowering entrepreneurs and job creators across the state. By partnering with Sempra Energy, the TxEDC will help usher in even greater economic prosperity for communities across the Lone Star State."
Sempra Energy invests in the communities in which it serves and operates, including Texas. Over the last three years Sempra Energy, Sempra LNG, and the Sempra Energy Foundation have committed more than $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations providing services in Texas, in addition to the community investments of Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor), headquartered in Dallas. Sempra Energy indirectly owns approximately 80 percent of Oncor.
Continuing to Grow in Texas
Sempra Energy continues to advance its presence in Texas as it focuses on growing in North America. The company plans to open a Center of Excellence in Houston later this year. In addition to expanded office space for regional business operations of Sempra LNG, the Houston Center of Excellence will showcase technologies developed by the Sempra Energy family of companies to support today's evolving energy market.Sempra Energy began operating in Texas more than 20 years ago. In May 2019, the company acquired a 50 percent limited-partnership interest in Sharyland Utilities, LLC. In 2018, Sempra Energy became the majority owner of Oncor, the largest electric transmission and distribution utility in Texas, serving more than 10 million consumers. In 2019, Sempra Energy also supported Oncor's acquisition of InfraREIT, Inc. Through these three acquisitions, Sempra Energy has made investments in Texas totaling more than $20 billion in enterprise value.
Additionally, Sempra LNG is developing the proposed Port Arthur LNG export project in Jefferson County, Texas. Port Arthur LNG is slated to be a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment designed to enable the delivery of natural gas sourced from Texas to world markets. The project, if completed, would also support manufacturing, small businesses, and the community by creating thousands of jobs and contributing to the local economy.
