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’ ability to unilaterally and recklessly implement remote operation at navigational locks and dams and hydroelectric facilities.
Read MoreThe House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee marked up their version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) with a version of IFPTE-requested language that protects lock and dam operations and hydroelectric operations from being performed and controlled through remote offsite operations.
Read MoreIFPTE, IBEW, NFFE, and AFGE have voiced their concerns with the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) to discuss federal lock and dam operators employed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the possible implementation of off-site remote operations and the reduction of on-site operations staff on these critical infrastructures.
Read MoreIFPTE Local 561 Steward and IFPTE Federal Caucus Legislative Chair, Mike Arendt, joined IFPTE Legislative Director, Faraz Khan, on Capitol Hill this week to meet with lawmakers and staff regarding the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).
Read MoreDespite 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.”
Read MoreIn anticipation of the House’s full consideration of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA), IFPTE sent a letter to all House lawmakers urging their support for the bill.
Read MoreIFPTE sent letters to Congress warning lawmakers that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers unilateral implementation of remote operations of some critical lock and dam infrastructure presents a severe cybersecurity threat.
Read MoreWith the release of the legislative text for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal, IFPTE requested Senators pass the “$1.2 trillion legislation which adds a significant $550 billion in new infrastructure funding and includes necessary reauthorizations for surface transportation, water, and energy infrastructure.
Read MoreIFPTE's letter to the House Transportation Committee highlights the improvements in the WRDA that should be maintained in the bill.
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