Subcommittee to Review Economic Importance of the Inland Waterway System
Washington, DC – The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), is scheduled to meet tomorrow to receive testimony from the Army Corps of Engineers, shippers, a researcher, and industry officials on the importance of preserving the reliability of the Inland Waterways System.
The Inland Waterways System provides an alternative to truck and rail transportation and is the most cost-effective and energy efficient means for transporting commercial goods, especially major bulk commodities. If the cargo transported on the inland waterways each year had to be moved by highways, it would require 58 million truck loads. One 15-barge tow on a river can carry as much cargo as 216 rail cars or 1,050 large trucks. The Inland Waterways System is a key component of a multi-modal transportation network. The system is also important to State and local economies and job creation efforts and is essential in order to maintain economic competitiveness and national security.
The unreliability of the aging locks and dams on the System is making waterways a less attractive means of transportation. Major failures are becoming more likely. Moving cargo from waterways to rail or truck as well as a major unexpected delay on the System would produce significant national economic impacts.
The Subcommittee will also review the recommendations of the Inland Waterways Users Board to address potential investment decisions, including revisions to reform the funding and methods for carrying out projects on the Inland Waterway System.
More information on Wednesday’s hearing can be found here.
WHAT: Hearing of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Chairman:
“How Reliability of the Inland Waterway System Impacts Economic Competitiveness”
WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2012
WHERE: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
A live webcast will be available at http://transportation.house.gov
WITNESSES:
The Inland Waterways System provides an alternative to truck and rail transportation and is the most cost-effective and energy efficient means for transporting commercial goods, especially major bulk commodities. If the cargo transported on the inland waterways each year had to be moved by highways, it would require 58 million truck loads. One 15-barge tow on a river can carry as much cargo as 216 rail cars or 1,050 large trucks. The Inland Waterways System is a key component of a multi-modal transportation network. The system is also important to State and local economies and job creation efforts and is essential in order to maintain economic competitiveness and national security.
The unreliability of the aging locks and dams on the System is making waterways a less attractive means of transportation. Major failures are becoming more likely. Moving cargo from waterways to rail or truck as well as a major unexpected delay on the System would produce significant national economic impacts.
The Subcommittee will also review the recommendations of the Inland Waterways Users Board to address potential investment decisions, including revisions to reform the funding and methods for carrying out projects on the Inland Waterway System.
More information on Wednesday’s hearing can be found here.
WHAT: Hearing of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH), Chairman:
“How Reliability of the Inland Waterway System Impacts Economic Competitiveness”
WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2012
WHERE: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
A live webcast will be available at http://transportation.house.gov
WITNESSES:
- Major General John Peabody, Mississippi River Valley Division, United States Army Corps of Engineers
- Mr. Martin Hettel, Senior Manager, American Electric Power River Operations
- Mr. Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director, Soy Transportation Coalition
- Mr. Mark Knoy, President, American Commercial Lines
- Mr. Robert Dolence, Vice President, Leonardo Technologies
- Ms. Kristin Meira, Executive Director, Pacific Northwest Waterways Association
- A representative from the American Society of Civil Engineers (invited)