IFPTE Continues to Fight Against Army Corps of Engineers Efforts to Operate Federal Hydroelectric and Navigational Lock and Dam Facilities without Onsite Personnel

Despite IFPTE’s urging Congress over the last two years to put a stop to efforts by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to replace on-site workers at hydroelectric and navigational lock and dam facilities with remote operation, the USACE doubled down in mid-July by issuing a directive that stipulates that, “USACE will establish a unified, consistent, national lock & dam remote operation program.” 

IFPTE’s executive officers responded, with President Matt Biggs saying that, “this shortsighted and dangerous plan to replace onsite workers with remote operations will not only cost taxpayers untold amounts of money, it is being done with little to no congressional oversight,” while Secretary-Treasurer, Gay Henson called the effort, “a cybersecurity risk caused by Artificial Intelligence that potentially threatens commerce, public safety and homeland and national security.”  Local 561 Steward/Federal Caucus legislative committee chair Michael Arendt noted, “it is imperative that Congress step in and not only provide scrutiny to this reckless plan, but put a stop to it.” 

Read the IFPTE issue brief here, and the USACE memo outlining the plan here, and learn about the history and scope of our nation’s navigational locks and dams.