House-Passed WRDA Bill includes IFPTEs' Language on Lock and Dam Remote Operations – IFPTE Weighs in with Senate and House WRDA Authorizers
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted on Monday to pass H.R. 8812, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, legislation that includes IFPTE-backed language to bring oversight to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ability to unilaterally and recklessly implement remote operation at navigational locks and dams and hydroelectric facilities.
IFPTE legislative director Faraz Khan commented that, “IFPTE applauds the House for including this strong language to bring oversight to this process, as remote operations present countless risks and dangers to the efficient and safe operations of these critical infrastructures.”
After the passage of the House bill, IFPTE sent a letter to WRDA authorizers in both the Senate and House asking when they go to reconcile the Senate and House WRDA bills that they, “include language in the House WRDA bill that ensures cybersecurity, physical security, and public safety through the on-site operation of USACE locks and dams and we ask you to include language in the Senate WRDA bill support robust funding and prioritization for inland waterways projects.”