WASHINGTON (July 28, 2022) — The American Chemistry Council joined with the Texas Chemical Council (TCC), the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and the East Harris County Manufacturers Association (EHCMA) to thank Congress for its strong bipartisan vote to pass a major infrastructure bill that will help support manufacturing in the Texas Gulf Coast.
Following similar action in the House, the Senate passed its own version of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA). Both versions contain important provisions that will bolster the nation’s ports, harbors and inland waterways.
Why is it important?
The bills provide much needed resources to improve and strengthen water transportation infrastructure for one of world’s largest chemical manufacturing centers, the Texas Gulf Coast.
The legislative packages are an important next step to protecting the Texas coast from future hurricanes by providing funds for a study of the development of a new coastal storm barrier along the Texas Gulf Coast.
What are they saying?
“The ongoing supply chain crisis demonstrates that our ports are in dire need of attention. We thank Congress for taking action on a much-needed infrastructure package that will help protect a vital manufacturing hub,” said Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council. “Texas is one of the largest chemical-producing states in the U.S. because of its ready access to a major port, highly skilled workforce and abundant feed-stocks - such as oil and natural gas. We urge President Biden to sign this legislation when it reaches his desk so the country can continue to benefit from the essential chemistries produced in Texas every day.”
“Americans and people all over the world depend on the chemical products manufactured in Texas. Over 96 percent of all manufactured goods are touched by the business of chemistry—from home and personal care products to clothing and sports equipment to automobiles and electronics,” said TCC President and CEO Hector Rivero. “We commend Congress for acting to protect and strengthen the water transportation infrastructure on the Texas Gulf Coast so that these essential and everyday products continue to sustain and enhance our quality of life and the jobs and economic growth the business of chemistry provides.”
“The Texas Gulf Coast Region is a vital economic artery with the Houston Port region being home to the largest petrochemical complex and export port in the United States,” said Chad Burke, President and CEO of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. “Hurricane Ike made landfall along the Texas Gulf Coast and accounted for over $30B in damages to the region, most of which was a direct cause of storm surge/flooding. The Coastal Barrier authorized in the 2022 WRDA Bill will protect more than 4 million residents, industry, and infrastructure from storm surge associated with hurricanes.”
“Returning dollars to Port Houston to protect the Houston Ship Channel will enhance the safe and reliable transport of essential manufacturing materials that fuel our economy and make our modern world better,” said MaryJane Mudd, Executive Director of EHCMA. “More than 25 percent of America’s fuel is refined and some 50 percent of America’s building block materials are manufactured in this region.
