Congress passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out water resource development projects and studies; the legislation also reforms and provides policy direction to the USACE for implementation of its civil works missions including navigation construction projects such as the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project.

WRDA 2020 includes the Port of Corpus Christi’s high-priority reauthorization of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project (CIP) at an estimated increased project cost of $676 million ($404 million Federal cost share and $272 million Non-Federal cost share to the Port of Corpus Christi). 

“We remain extremely grateful to our Texas Congressional Delegation for their support throughout the year of the Channel Improvement Project and the huge economic impact it undoubtedly will have on our region. This is a long-awaited and very positive step forward in realizing our vision as the Energy Port of the Americas,” said Charles W. Zahn, Port of Corpus Christi Commission Chairman.

Reauthorizing the CIP is critically important for exporting Texas oil and gas to the global marketplace and complements the over $250 million in funds already appropriated for the project. This bill includes another $100 million in Fiscal Year 2021 passed in the Omnibus Spending Package approved on Monday for the CIP.

“The inclusion of the Water Resources Development Act in this latest Omnibus is a nod to all Ports in the Nation and certainly the Port of Corpus Christi in particular, and paves the way to completion of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project,” said Sean Strawbridge, Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi. “An improved Ship Channel will solidify U.S. energy exports to our allies and trading partners for decades to come.”