HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL - SUPPLY CHAIN IMPROVEMENTS

Port Houston

The Houston Ship Channel receives over 8,000 deep draft vessels a year, half of all deep draft vessels in Texas. Couple that with 200K barge movements per year and the Houston Ship Channel interfaces with every Congressional District in the nation.

Impact on the U.S. economy is immense, creating over 3.2M jobs, $802B in economic impact and $32B in tax revenue each year.

Project 11

Economic Alliance supports the allocation of funds in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the USACE FY ’23 Work Plan for the following Port Houston upgrades and maintenance. The funds will keep the deepening and widening (Project 11) on schedule, on budget and within air emission limits. Improving one of the nation's most critical commerce waterways.

Construction Funding for Project 11

Funds to support the deepening and widening on schedule for completion in Dec. 2025 - $178M

Earmark Requests for Project 11 Segments

Dredged Material Placement Site for Package 8 - $27.3M

Bayport ATONS Relocation Project - $3.5M

Segments 5 & 6 Design - $5.1M

Operations and Maintenance Funding

Funding to keep the ship channel operational and avoid draft restrictions. This is an annual request.

Brazos River Floodgates

The floodgates are a component of the Houston Port region’s maritime infrastructure, with $117B of cargo navigation each year, including 23M tons of agriculture, manufactured and petrochemical goods. Built in 1940, the floodgates are outdated, damaged and not adequate for modern boat and barge movements. A cause of delays, increased emissions, and additional costs for shippers.

Economic Alliance supports a $260M allocation of the Inland Waterway Trust Fund (IWTF) in FY24 for improvements to the floodgates. The upgrades can be fully funded in FY 24 ($260M) and leave $192M in the IWTF to fund all other eligible project requests with the remaining balance.

PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY - EFFICIENCIES/PARTNERSHIPS

TRANSPORTATION/FREIGHT & RAIL

U.S. chemical manufacturers ship approximately 992M tons of products per year via marine, rail and truck. Transportation needs are growing as the result of the resurgence of chemical manufacturing.

Economic Alliance supports policy to rebuild the nation's supply chain and keep products moving efficiently.

The Surface Transportation Board must address freight rail issues through reforms, including Final Offer Rater Review and access to Competitive Switching. It has been 4 decades since the Surface Transportation Board has updated its freight rail policies.

OPEN COMPETITION/INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

The U.S. government provides aid to municipalities to rebuild infrastructure and must incorporate innovative technologies/ materials for sustainable infrastructure that will last generations.

Economic Alliance supports policy to modernize the procurement process and eliminate outdated material restrictions. Allowing engineers to select the best material for the job and best use of taxpayer dollars.

Skilled Workers

Houston Port region community colleges are building a strong Texas workforce by aligning quality education/training with our industry needs. With the expansion of Port Houston and continued industrial growth it’s important that our colleges meet job demand, attrition and skill enhancement that provides economic opportunity to students.

Economic Alliance supports policy that fully addresses our community college’s unique student/curriculum funding needs and integrates them into the federal workforce training system.

JOB TRAINING, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION FUNDING

Increase funding for the Strengthening Community College Training Grants program. Administered by the Department of Labor, now entering its fourth year.

Student Grant Access

Extend Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, workforce-oriented short-term programs offered by community colleges in high demand areas as introduced in the JOBS Act (H.R. 793, S. 161). Increase lifetime Pell Grant eligibility to 14 semesters (full-time equivalent) End the taxation of Pell Grants - impacts low-income students. Responsible student borrowing by linking borrowing limits to enrollment intensity.

Maritime Center Of Excellence Funding

Economic Alliance supports establishment of a Domestic Maritime Center of Excellence in the Houston Port region (San Jacinto College) through an appropriation of $30 million in FY24 U.S. DOT, Maritime Administration (MARAD) Maritime Centers of Excellence Grant Program.

COASTAL BARRIER - ECONOMIC ASSET PROTECTIONS 4

U.S. GULF COAST PROTECTION

A coastal barrier will protect immediate residents and the nation’s largest economic engine. The Houston Port region includes the world’s largest petrochemical complex and busiest export port in the United States. Protecting a commerce highway critical to the nations supply chain and a high standard of living due to the direct/indirect economic activity in the Houston Ship Channel. National economic benefits include 3.2M jobs, $802B in economic impact and $32B in tax revenue each year.

Economic Alliance supports funding for the design and construction of a coastal barrier protecting the Texas/Louisiana portion of the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Phased appropriation amounts through the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers for the design/construction of a coastal barrier protecting economic assets/workers/residents impacting our national supply chain/economy. The phased funding will include $100 million in the first year and $500 million in the second year.