Key Takeaways
- •Members of Congress presented regional funding priorities for the FY 2027 Energy and Water bill, focusing on coastal resilience, Western water management, and critical energy infrastructure.
- •Jefferson Van Drew (Member of Congress) advocated for Army Corps funding, arguing that beach replenishment is critical for protecting billions in inland infrastructure rather than just tourism.
- •Rep. Simpson (R, ID-2) and Jim Costa (Member of Congress) discussed the over-allocation of the Colorado River and how low snowpack levels threaten Western agricultural production.
- •Rep. Kaptur (D, OH-9) and Rep. Fleischmann (R, TN-3) highlighted bipartisan cooperation, noting that the subcommittee successfully addresses diverse needs across the nation's various coastlines.
- •The subcommittee will use these member requests to draft the FY 2027 appropriations bill, balancing competing demands for Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation projects.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
This hearing served as a "Member Day" for the subcommittee to receive testimony from non-committee members regarding their specific priorities for the fiscal year 2027 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. The session focused heavily on the civil works mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, western water management under the Bureau of Reclamation, and the infrastructure necessary to maintain American energy dominance and national security. Witnesses emphasized the intersection of coastal resilience, agricultural water stability, and the protection of federal assets such as military installations and space flight facilities.
Key Testimony & Policy
Rep. Jefferson Van Drew (R, NJ-2) advocated for robust funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, specifically targeting beach replenishment and coastal infrastructure in southern New Jersey. He requested $35 million for construction at the Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet project, which includes nourishment for Absecon Island and $5 million for new jetty designs in Atlantic City. Additionally, he requested $35 million for the Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlet project on Long Beach Island to protect an estimated $30 billion in property. Rep. Van Drew emphasized that these projects, supported by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) as a non-federal sponsor, are essential for public safety and protecting inland infrastructure rather than just tourism.
Rep. Jim Costa (D, CA-21) focused on western water challenges, urging the committee to provide $201 million for the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act storage projects. He highlighted the need for $60 million to repair Bureau of Reclamation canals, specifically noting that land subsidence has reduced the Friant-Kern Canal to 22 percent of its original capacity. Rep. Costa also requested $5 million for the snow airborne observation program, which utilizes NASA-developed technology to inventory snowpack, and called for full funding for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program to maintain fish populations and meet court settlement obligations.
Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R, VA-2) testified on the urgent need for a feasibility study for the Chincoteague Inlet, which was authorized under the 2016 WIIN Act but remains unfunded. She noted that the town has secured its non-federal cost share and that the inlet's stability is critical for the NASA Wallops Flight Facility and nearby Navy installations. Rep. Kiggans proposed a policy change to allow the Department of Defense (DOD) to partner more directly with the Army Corps of Engineers through transfer authority or dedicated funds to ensure military installations are fully integrated into coastal storm risk management studies.
Rep. Randy Weber (R, TX-14) centered his testimony on energy independence and the strategic importance of the Texas Gulf Coast. He requested funding for three major projects: the Galveston Harbor and Channel dredging, the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Project, and the Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project. Rep. Weber noted that his district handles 80 percent of the nation's military-grade fuel and that the Port of Beaumont is the primary port for moving military personnel and equipment out of the country. He argued that these navigation and storm protection projects are vital for maintaining American energy dominance and global supply chains.
Notable Exchanges & Partisan Dynamics
The hearing was characterized by a high degree of bipartisanship and mutual praise. Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (D, OH-9) engaged Rep. Van Drew in a discussion about the complexity of coastal interactions, suggesting that the Army Corps of Engineers should provide more comprehensive briefings on how different coastal districts interact rather than treating them as isolated projects.
A significant exchange occurred between Rep. Costa and Rep. Michael Simpson (R, ID-2) regarding the Colorado River. Rep. Costa explained that the "law of the river" was established based on an estimated annual yield of 17 million acre-feet, but recent decades have shown the actual yield is closer to 10-12 million acre-feet. This over-allocation has created a "difficult challenge" for upper and lower basin states and Mexico. Rep. Simpson noted that the lack of snowpack in the West suggests a severe fire year ahead, highlighting the broader regional implications of water scarcity.
Rep. Simpson also took a moment to praise Rep. Weber for his advocacy for nuclear energy, noting the importance of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in the nation's energy future. The members also shared lighthearted moments regarding birthdays, with Rep. Weber identifying himself as a "birthday geek" for knowing the birth dates of his colleagues.
Organizations Mentioned
* United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps): Discussed extensively as the primary agency responsible for beach replenishment, dredging, and coastal storm risk management projects across New Jersey, Virginia, and Texas. * Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation): Mentioned regarding its management of western water infrastructure, canal repairs in California, and the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. * National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Cited for its Wallops Flight Facility, which is threatened by coastal erosion, and for developing the technology used in airborne snowpack observation. * New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP): Identified as the non-federal sponsor for several coastal protection and seawall study projects in southern New Jersey. * United States Department of Defense (DOD): Mentioned in the context of protecting military installations from coastal storms and the proposed transfer of authority to the Army Corps for joint studies. * Port of Beaumont: Highlighted as a critical strategic asset that moves more military personnel and equipment than any other U.S. port. * Imperial Irrigation District (Imperial Valley District): Mentioned during the discussion of Colorado River water conservation and historical settlement agreements in Southern California. * Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Noted as the recipient of funding requests for the Chincoteague Inlet feasibility study in the President's budget.
What's Next
The subcommittee will consider the testimony and formal requests submitted by members as it drafts the fiscal year 2027 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill. Key upcoming milestones include the release of the Army Corps of Engineers' work plan and the President's formal budget request. Members indicated they would continue to push for the inclusion of specific community project funding (earmarks) for dredging, beach nourishment, and feasibility studies as the appropriations process moves toward a committee markup.
Transcript
The hearing will come to order. I would like to welcome everyone to today's Energy and Water Member Day. Today our fellow members will have the opportunity to testify on issues under the jurisdiction of this subcommittee that are important to them. Each witness will have five minutes to present their testimony. Members of the subcommittee will then have the opportunity to ask questions if they desire to do so. I know everyone is busy and has busy schedules today, so I will forgo any extended remarks. I look forward to learning more from our colleagues on their priorities for the fiscal 27 Energy and Water bill. Now I would like to recognize my friend and colleague Ms. Kaptur, the ranking member, for any opening remarks she may like to make.
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