United States Senate passes bipartisan WRDA

(Posted on 05/08/24)

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has commended the Senate for its unanimous passage of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resource Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which authorises navigation and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works had unanimously advanced the bill on 22 May.

The NGFA, established in 1896, consists of grain, feed, processing, exporting and other grain-related companies that operate facilities handling U.S. grains and oilseeds.

NGFA released the following statement:

“We commend the efforts of Committee Chairman Tom Carper, D-Del., and Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., along with Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Chairman Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Ranking Member Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., for their dedication to maintaining waterways infrastructure legislation on a biennial, bipartisan basis.

“This bill authorizes feasibility studies and new or modified construction projects and directs the Corps to expedite the completion of several ongoing studies and projects from past WRDAs. Importantly, the bill permanently increases the federal cost-share for inland waterway projects to 75 percent, with the remaining 25 percent from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (adjusted from 65/35). Additionally, it provides full federal funding for projects financed through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“The U.S. inland waterways system is crucial to the operations of NGFA-member companies and the agricultural supply chain, with barges transporting about half of all grains to export grain elevators. Efficient inland locks and dams and modern ports are vital to maintaining America’s comparative infrastructure advantage.”

The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the WRDA on 22 July.

“NGFA looks forward to serving as a resource for lawmakers as the EPW Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee begin the conference process to reconcile the differences between the two bills.”

Importantly, neither bill includes any language that would threaten the Lower Snake River Dams.

The NGFA membership includes grain elevators; feed and feed ingredient manufacturers; biofuels companies; grain and oilseed processors and millers; exporters; livestock and poultry integrators; and associated firms that provide goods and services to the nation’s grain, feed and processing industry. The NGFA consists of 27 affiliated State and Regional Grain and Feed Associations, is co-located and has a strategic alliance with North American Export Grain Association, and a strategic alliance with Pet Food Institute.