Improving Our Nation's Ports

I sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump today to encourage making America great again by improving the nation’s infrastructure by building roads, and widening and deepening our nation’s ports.

I have fought to improve the nation’s ports, and pushed for the Corpus Christi Ship Channel project (CIP). In my letter to the President-elect, I detailed the importance of the CIP as a major economic engine.

I would strongly encourage inclusion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project (CIP) in the FY 2017 Budget deal Congress plans on helping you with in March, or the FY 2018 Budget. This project, which is fully authorized and previously funded in past budgets, is critical to the growth and sustainability of not only the Texas economy, but also the economy of the nation.

Read the full letter here.

Background:

I have worked regularly with the Army Corps of Engineers urging them to prioritize projects like:

- Widening and deepening the Corpus Christi Ship Channel (the “Main Channel”) from 45’ to 52’ and construction of Barge Shelves;
- Operation and maintenance for the Matagorda Ship Channel, including Jetty repair;
- Additional permits for repairs for the Port of Victoria;
- Varies constituent concerns regarding permitting and operations.

I have fought to include the “new start” language in the appropriations process so that projects already underway, like the channel, would not have to re-enter a competitive process with other projects for funding. This passed the House in September.

December 1, 2016

President-Elect Donald J. Trump

Transition Team Headquarters – Trump Tower
725 5th Ave
New York, NY 10022

Dear President-Elect Trump,

Congratulations on your recent victory in the presidential election. During the campaign, you said that one way we can make America great again is to improve our infrastructure by building roads and widening and deepening our nation’s ports so we can export American products.

I would strongly encourage inclusion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project (CIP) in the FY 2017 Budget deal Congress plans on helping you with in March, or the FY 2018 Budget. This project, which is fully authorized and previously funded in past budgets, is critical to the growth and sustainability of not only the Texas economy, but also the economy of the nation.

The Port of Corpus Christi serves as a major economic engine for the entire South Texas region, resulting in economic activity that has resulted in new investment and job growth. A 2015 study found the Port is responsible for 76, 377 jobs, up from 66, 560 in 2012, and has an economic impact of $15.2 billion.

Further, the Port’s business and vessel traffic are escalating rapidly. The port-related industrial area is experiencing roughly $40 billion in new private construction. Nearly two dozen new docks and wharfs have been constructed as energy companies seek to process growing domestic energy output and as manufacturing companies seek to take advantage of low cost and reliable energy.

The Port Authority expects annual tonnage to once again top 100 million tons in 2017 as evidenced by new construction by some of the world’s largest and technologically-advanced industries along the Ship Channel. Even greater growth is expected as a result of the completion of the Panama Canal Expansion. Additionally, major growth is resulting from the 2015 Congressional action that lifted the oil export ban, allowing for more efficient utilization of the booming domestic shale oil and gas production. 

While this increased traffic is an economic boon, it has also resulted in increasing delays to ships entering the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Delaying completion of the CIP may create a safety hazard as well as result in significant revenue losses.

Again, I strongly encourage inclusion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project (CIP) in the FY 2017 or FY 2018 Budget and I look forward to working with you on this and multitude of other important issues.

Sincerely,                      

BLAKE FARENTHOLD

Member of Congress