CEO Jeffrey Martin's Full Remarks: Celebration of the Completion of Construction of Train 1 of Cameron LNG
Remarks as prepared for delivery by Sempra Energy Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Martin at Cameron LNG export project in Hackberry, La., on May 14, 2019.
Good afternoon. I’m Jeff Martin, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy. Every day, we have the great privilege of serving the basic energy needs of more Americans than any other utility company. We’re also the majority owner of Cameron LNG – and it is an honor to host today’s celebration.
First, we’re here to celebrate the completion of our first of three trains – and we’re looking forward to beginning to ship American natural gas to global markets in the next few weeks.
We are also here to celebrate the thousands of employees who helped make this happen. During peak construction, we had just over 11,000 workers onsite. Today, over 7,000 high-skilled workers are hard at work and we’re expecting to creating hundreds of permanent jobs here in Cameron Parish over time.
I also want to recognize our neighbors – the community of Hackberry – and those who live and work in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes. This is truly an amazing place to do business – thank you for your support.
In addition, we’re grateful for our friends and partners – Total, Mitsui, Mitsubishi and NYK – who have been central to this project’s success. Thank you for your trust – and your vision and commitment to developing this project.
Finally, it is also important to credit the unwavering support of our federal, state and local elected officials – many of whom are here today. Your support and leadership have been critical, so thank you very much.
At the end of the day, this celebration is also about American’s “energy renaissance.” In its simplest form, think of the LNG facility behind me as a gateway to a more exciting future for American energy.
On this side of the gateway, thousands and thousands of small and large businesses have invested in innovation, technology and “good ole fashion” American ingenuity to find new and better ways to produce oil, natural gas and refined products. Their actions have created new jobs and a sustained engine of growth for our country.
On the other side of this gateway, American producers will be:
- Accessing new markets in Asia and Europe;
- Improving the economic security of our allies; and
- Bringing a cleaner fuel source to the world.
Bottom line – the forward-thinking energy policies of this Administration are creating a larger role for America in the global energy markets – and at Sempra Energy, with projects like this (and others that we’re developing), we are proud to play a leadership role in supporting America’s energy renaissance.
Next, to continue today’s very special celebration, please rise and join me in extending a warm Louisiana welcome to the 45th President of the United States of America – Donald J. Trump.
