Both The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) on Nov. 5 issued statements applauding the passage in the U.S. House of Representatives of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
The legislation, which authorizes a new highway bill and includes funding for roads, bridges, broadband, and water navigation, passed on a 228-206 vote. President Joe Biden is expected to host a bipartisan bill signing ceremony on Nov. 15.
The Senate version of the $1.2 trillion bill was passed in August, but House voting was delayed over the multitrillion-dollar Build Back Better Act, a companion measure addressing social spending and climate change. The House has said it will take up the Build Back Better Act again in mid-November.
“We are glad the House was finally able to come together and pass this critical piece of legislation. Investment in infrastructure has long been a priority for ARA, and we will continue to work to ensure the needs of ag retailers, their farmer customers, and all of rural America are met,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “ARA is strongly opposed to the House’s Build Back Better bill. The tax increases included in this plan would not only counteract any economic recovery but also result in steep cost increases for consumers.”
“Infrastructure investment is critical to the fertilizer industry because of the just-in-time nature of demand. Fertilizer needs to be delivered to growers exactly when and where they need it and there is not much room for error,” said TFI President and CEO Cory Rosenbusch. “Bottlenecks due to road or bridge closures or delays due to crumbling locks and dams can negatively impact the timely delivery of necessary crop nutrients to farmers. Fertilizer is critical to strong yields and the success of America’s agricultural industry.”
TFI highlighted several surface transportation provisions of particular importance to the fertilizer industry, including $110 billion for Highway programs, $12.5 billion for the Bridge Investment Program, and the inclusion of the Drive Safe Act apprentice program and Hours of Service exemption. The legislation also marks $17 billion for waterway infrastructure and $2.5 billion for inland waterways construction,
“All fertilizer utilized in the U.S. touches a truck at least once, meaning that reliable and safe highways, roads and bridges are of paramount importance,” Rosenbusch said. “Fertilizer moves year-round by rail, barge, and pipeline and ocean vessels and there is much funding needed to address over $8 billion in backlog maintenance for inland waterways.”