The U.S. Senate’s approval of America’s Water Infrastructure Act on Wednesday means possible improvements to Oklahoma’s McClellan-Kerr Navigation System.
The measure was approved on a 99-1 vote and sent to the President to be signed into law. Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe helped in the crafting of the measure.
“I fought to secure provisions in this legislation that will promote economic development in Oklahoma by further advancing the MKARNS priorities, as well as provide certainty in water storage pricing for Bartlesville—saving taxpayers over $100 million over 10 years,” he said after the vote. “I also worked to include language that could extend the authorization for the Booster Pump Station in Midwest City and provide for the Altus-Lugart dike rehabilitation.”
Inhofe chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
“I’m pleased this bill supports Oklahoma by giving state and local stakeholders greater say in which projects get funded,” added the Senator. “We also cut needless red tape in this bill by allowing for greater transparency into Corps permitting and real estate processes.”
“Chairman Barrasso and Senate EPW Subcommittee members deserve high praise for their attention to America’s inlandwaterway infrastructure needs, ensuring the competitiveness of America’s farmers, manufacturers and energy producers. On behalf of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System stakeholders, I applaud the efforts of Senator Inhofe, Senator Boozman and Senator Moran to protect the public and private investments already made and to capture additional benefits for future generations,” said Scott Robinson, the Director of the Port of Muskogee.
There was also a provision included by Sen,. Inhofe applying to pipelines. The Act will allow for remote survey data in the permitting process. It will allow for aerial survey data to ensure the necessary permits are processed in a timely manner, upon verification on the ground at a later time, according to the Senator.
It’s something praised by Alan Armstrong, President and CEO of Tulsa-based Williams.
“Using remote sensing technologies to ensure pipeline companies and regulators have the best data available ensures that new infrastructure can be evaluated using solid scientific information.”
