Congressman Poe Secures ‘Fast Track' Action for SNWW Funding to Complete Study on Expansion included in WRDA Reauthorization

Press Release

Congressman Poe Secures ‘Fast Track' Action for SNWW
Funding to Complete Study on Expansion included in WRDA Reauthorization

Washington, Aug 9 -

Congressman Poe Secures ‘Fast Track' Action for SNWW

Funding to Complete Study on Expansion included in WRDA Reauthorization

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Ted Poe (TX-02) announces that the Sabine Neches Waterway (SNWW) study was one of four projects given "fast track" priority in the Water Resources Development Act Reauthorization (WRDA).

"This project was started by the Corps in 2000 with a completion date of 2004 and at a cost of $6 million," said Poe. "It is now 2007 and the project report is still not completed and the price tag has soared to $13 million. The inclusion of this project on the fast track will help finally conclude this step."

The study being conducted by the Corps of Engineers will assess the needs of the SNWW and upon completion will allow for SNWW to be eligible for additional federal funding to expand and improve the waterway.

"The expansion of the Sabine Neches Waterway is vital to the economy and security of the entire country," continued Poe. "As the largest port for military cargo, the Port of Beaumont and the Sabine-Neches Waterway should be recognized as the energy and military gateway to the United States."

The SNWW is home to the largest commercial military port in America based on tonnage, and it is the second largest in the World. Approximately 20-30% of America's commercial jet fuel is produced on the SNWW. The significant amount of our military's jet fuel that is produced on the SNWW remains a matter of national security. The SNWW is the primary supplier to America's Bighill and Hackberry strategic oil reserves. An estimated 73 million tons of crude oil, 28 million tons of petroleum products, and 8.5 million tons of chemical cargo move through the SNWW's marine terminals annually. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) latest Waterborne Commerce data discloses approximately 74,794 total vessel and barge trips are made on the SNWW in a year. This traffic is expected to exceed the recommended maximum operating capacity in the next three years because of the $25 billion in new infrastructure invested along the SNWW to construct America's first new refinery since 1976, expand its three existing refineries, and construct three of America's eight new LNG plants.

Congressman Poe serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation and member of the Congressional Port Security Caucus.

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