The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is reviewing the nation’s ailing water infrastructure system and planning on introducing a new Water Resources Development Act or WRDA measure. Iowa Corn Grower’s Association President Bob Hemesath says that’s good news for agriculture and having the extra funding to pay for those needed upgrades is welcome.
He says if they can get the new WRDA bill passed it’ll come at a good time with the Panama Canal upgrade due yet this year.
Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe says over 13 million jobs are created by the U.S. marine transportation industry which supports $ 2 trillion in commerce. He adds that for every dollar invested in infrastructure the return in benefits is $16.60. Hemesath says that helps point out the need for the WRDA measure.
The last WRDA bill was approved in 2014 following seven years without a major water infrastructure measure.
