Press Release: Gov. Abbott Sends Letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Support of Port Funding
Apr 23, 2018
Corpus Christi, TX, USA – Texas Governor Greg Abbott showed his support for the state’s water ports, including the Port of Corpus Christi, in a recent letter to Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In the letter, Gov. Abbott urged the Corps to advance funding for improvement projects at ports across the state, highlighting their crucial role in maintaining and expanding trade flows vital to the Texas and U.S. economies.
“The benefit to our economic and national security is unrealized because of the bottleneck caused by ports unable to transport the very materials that promote national and energy security,” the letter read. “In fact, ships leaving energy dominant ports must short fill their vessels at the refineries and facilities then move offshore to get to capacity because the bulk carriers are unable to pass through Texas channels without dragging. Investing in our waterways will help the United States to lead the way in energy dominance and strengthen our national and economic security.”
Today, the Port of Corpus Christi plays a crucial role in facilitating the export of U.S. energy. When the ban on the export of U.S. crude oil was lifted in December 2015, the Port of Corpus Christi oversaw the first shipment of it abroad. Since then the Port has gone on to handle over 60 percent of our domestic crude oil exports, while continuing to export significant quantities of refined petroleum products. When Cheniere’s Corpus Christi liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility goes fully online later this year, the Port will play a similar role in the continued expansion of U.S. LNG exports.
The Port of Corpus Christi is committed to completing its Channel Improvement Project (CIP) by 2021 and securing the necessary funding. The CIP will deepen and widen the Port’s ship channels, driving further investment into the region and ensuring that U.S. energy commodities are able to reach market. The CIP is one of several Texas port projects that is fully authorized, but has faced funding hurdles and this is the second letter of support from Gov. Abbott on behalf of these water port projects.
“We appreciate Gov. Abbott’s advocacy and support of Texas ports,” said Port of Corpus Christi CEO Sean Strawbridge. “Texas is home to three out of the top six ports in the country by tonnage, and the Port of Corpus Christi is the country’s leading energy port. We are proud to play a key role in helping our country re-establish itself as a dominant force in global energy markets, and continued support and funding will be necessary to maximize our full potential.”
You can read the full letter here.
About Port Corpus Christi
As the leading U.S. Crude Oil export port and a major economic engine of Texas and the nation, Port Corpus Christi is the 4th largest port in the United States in total tonnage. Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico with a 36 mile, 47 foot (MLLW) deep channel, Port Corpus Christi is a major gateway to international and domestic maritime commerce. The Port has excellent railroad and highway network connectivity via three North American Class-1 railroads and two major interstate highways. With an outstanding staff overseen by its seven member commission, Port Corpus Christi is “Moving America’s Energy.” http://www.portcorpuschristi.com/