Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) announced today that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies approved funding for the Sabine—Neches Waterway and the Texas City Ship Channel.

If enacted, the bill would provide:

$100,000,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) construction account, to deepen the Sabine-Neches Waterway (SNWW) from its current 40-foot depth to its congressionally authorized depth of 48 feet, as authorized in WRDA 2014. The SNWW is the USA’s leading energy exporter and #1 exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). No single project can do more for Texas and the rest of the United States now than the Sabine—Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project.

$9,630,000 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) for dredging of the Texas City Federal Channel.  Key energy products such as crude oil, gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel, are moved through the Texas City Channel and the Port of Texas City daily.  Thirty million net tons of energy cargo are moved annually as part of the federal Strategic Petroleum Reserve System, which depends on the Texas City Channel.

“The Upper Gulf Coast is vital for our nation’s economy and energy security, and I am proud that these projects were included in the Energy and Water bill,” said Rep. Weber. “The investments into our ports and waterways are critical to our district. I am humbled by the opportunity to work within the congressional appropriations process to deliver wins for Texas.”