$16 Billion Natural Gas Plant to be Constructed in Anderson County

Anderson County will soon be home to a major natural gas plant as part of President Donald Trump’s trade deal with Japan. The proposed $16 billion plant will produce up to 5.2 gigawatts of natural gas. NextEra Energy Resources will be the primary developer responsible for the plant’s construction and operation in the coming years.

Dion Watson, Director of Development for NextEra Energy Resources, spoke at the Anderson County Commissioners Court on April 7, outlining the project timeline and answering questions from both commissioners and members of the public.

“We have a proven track record of working with communities like Anderson [County],” said Watson. “We provide support, tax dollars, community stimulus, and work to be a good corporate partner.”

Watson and his team at NextEra Energy Resources have explained that this project is still in the early stages of development, with fluid timelines as definitive agreements with the federal government are finalized. They intend to work closely with Anderson County leadership to ensure the project benefits the community and protects the environment of East Texas. 

Construction Could Start in 2027

As NextEra Energy Resources works with the Anderson County community, it believes that groundbreaking on construction could occur in 2027, with the first phase of the plant commencing operations in 2028. Construction is expected to last until 2032.

The natural gas plant would be built on 1,700 acres acquired by NextEra Energy Resources. This project would be developed in connection with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

The overall goal of this natural gas project is to increase domestically produced power, creating stability for the United States by reducing energy dependence on other countries. This plant would also help meet America’s growing energy needs, specifically with the dramatic rise in data usage.  

The natural gas facility would be designed to support large-scale load development by capitalizing on abundant natural gas resources in Anderson County while simultaneously enhancing electric grid reliability across the region.

Commissioners Raised Concerns About Water

One of the biggest discussions Anderson County leadership will have with NextEra Energy Resources is how they plan to handle water use. This includes supplying water to operate the natural gas plant and discharging wastewater. The commissioners were clear that they expect NextEra Energy Resources to be good stewards of the environment and protect Anderson County’s groundwater supply.

NextEra Energy Resources said it will comply with water permitting requirements at the local, state, and federal levels. The company is exploring technologies to reduce water consumption and plans to install an on-site treatment plant to clean any discharged water.

The Commissioners Court also discussed the importance of training Anderson County fire departments to handle potential electrical fires, although such incidents are rare. These departments need to be aware of potential safety hazards and should have the right tools and processes to respond to problems at the plant.  

The Natural Gas Plant Will Create Long-Term Jobs

NextEra Energy Resources expects the natural gas plant to create at least 100 full-time jobs in Anderson County once construction is complete, along with hundreds of construction jobs over the next few years. The company will host job fairs in the region and work with local partners to find qualified talent.

“We want to bring in as many local resources as we can,” says Watson. “That includes vendors and employees.”

Watson also says that NextEra Energy Resources will work with local education partners, such as Trinity Valley Community College, to develop training programs for future workers. Anderson County residents could launch careers in energy through this new gas plant.

“NextEra Energy Resources has been proactive about having conversations with us, various government departments, and local partners,” says Christophe Trahan, Economic Development Director for the Palestine Economic Development Corporation (PEDC). “We appreciate their willingness to engage locally, and ongoing communication and transparency will be important as the community continues to learn about the project’s potential impacts and opportunities.”

NextEra Energy Resources has been in business for 35 years and has worked on more than 400 large energy infrastructure projects across 44 states. It has invested more than $20 billion in Texas since 1999.  

Stay Informed on the Natural Gas Plant Project 

The proposed natural gas plant project is being led by NextEra Energy Resources in coordination with Anderson County officials. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, community members are encouraged to follow official announcements from these entities.

Questions or comments regarding the project should be directed to the NextEra project team at AndersonEnergyCenter@nexteraenergy.com, which was shared during the Commissioners Court for public engagement.

PEDC will continue to share general updates as information becomes publicly available.