June 2022 Vol 20 Issue 6 - Ports to Plains

June 2022 Volume 20 Issue 6

We are a voice for our small town, grassroots members who may otherwise not have access to the right audiences, as well as a conduit for industry to come together in support and promotion of transportation improvements.

We are committed to working as an Alliance to improve transportation infrastructure and business networks opportunities, by advocating for appropriate funding levels, so business and industry can thrive.

We are focused on the economic and business interests that are the lifeblood of the region.

The Future Is NOW

Have you registered for the 2022 Ports-to-Plains Alliance Conference yet? The event is scheduled for September 14-16 at the famous Hotel Settles in Big Spring, Texas!

Below are a few of the agenda highlights:

Beginning NOW: The Benefits of the Interstate Highway

Lorena Echeverria de Misi, P.E., Manager, Corridor Planning Branch, TxDOT Transportation Planning & Programming Division
The 2020 Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Feasibility Study described the benefits of an Interstate Highway to Texas and especially to West and South Texas. This study moved the needle and was significant in obtaining Future Interstate Highway status for the Texas Corridor. The data provided in the Study will be helpful for your local and regional outreach.

Local Benefits NOW

G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO, Ryan, LLC
How do rural communities obtain Local Benefits from economic development? Mr. Ryan, while CEO of Ryan LLC, was born in Big Spring graduated from Big Spring High School. He owns the Hotel Settles where the conference will be held. In 2006, he bought the Settles and began the renovation process. The roof had caved in, one floor was piled waist-high with dead pigeons, and it took a year to remove 700 tons of lead paint and asbestos from the structure. Ryan said he was motivated to undertake the project because of the building’s qualities — "an architectural gem” — and the opportunity to participate in an important community project in his hometown. Aside from the Settles, Ryan purchased and renovated a number of smaller buildings in downtown Big Spring, including the Reed Hotel and the Petroleum Building.

Looking North NOW

Chelsie Herian, Executive Director, Box Butte Development
Great things continue to happen in Nebraska as the state works to complete the Heartland Expressway. Ms. Herian will discuss the potential economic impacts of the upgrade of the corridor in Nebraska to four-lane divided.

We encourage you to make your hotel reservation as soon as possible. Call for reservations using the Code: Ports-to-Plains. The phone number for Hotel Settles is 432-267-7500. The group rate is available until September 1, 2022 or until the hotel is full.

More Conference Information and Registration Here

CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Thank you for your Support!

If you have questions or would like to sponsor, contact Duffy Hinkle at duffy.hinkle@portstoplains.com or 806-790-7196 or Joe Kiely at joe.kiely@portstoplains.com or 719-740-2240.

North Dakota Update

On June 9, 2022, Bill Panos, Director, North Dakota Department of Transportation provided the Director’s Advisory Council an update on the State Freight and Rail Plan. The presentation included some key information on Western North Dakota along U.S. 85, the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway.

Composite Statewide Top Route Analysis Results

Despite some of the Western North Dakota highways, including major portions of U.S. 85, still being two lane highways, in terms of truck movements it exceeds all but Interstate 94.

Location Of Crashes Involving Freight Vehicles (2017-2021)

Crashes in Western North Dakota are significant when compared to the remainder of North Dakota. The mixture of freight trucks, agriculture movements, energy movements, and passenger vehicles lead to increased crashes.

Heat Map of Freight Vehicle Crashes (2017-2020)

The heat map below also demonstrates the safety needs in Western North Dakota along the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (U.S. Highway 85).

Heat Map of Fatal Crashes (2017-2020)

When crashes are defined as Fatal, the picture of needed capacity and safety continues to grow.

Coexist: Livability and Freight

Lastly, Director Panos provided a graphic which correctly shows the criteria needing to be considered for transportation investment decisions.

Del Rio International Bridge Border Crossing, Texas

Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Laredo Border Crossings are important to International Trade using the Future I-27 Corridor. Trade at Del Rio International Bridge Border Crossing, Texas for the month of April increased 15.81 percent from the same month one year ago and was down 12.41 percent compared to the previous month, according to ustradenumbers.com analysis of the most recent U.S. government data.

This data is available on the City of Del Rio Website: https://www.ustradenumbers.com/port/del-rio-international-bridge-border-crossing-texas/

Eagle Pass and Laredo will be highlighted in future newsletters.

Breaking it down, exports increased 17.01 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and were down 11.01 percent from the previous month. Imports increased 14.97 percent compared to the same month in the previous year and declined 13.4 percent when compared to the previous month.

On a year-to-date basis, trade at Del Rio International Bridge Border Crossing, Texas was valued at $1.77 billion, an increase of 14.58 percent through April. Exports totaled $743.48 million, up 18.76 percent while imports were valued at $1.02 billion, up 11.73 percent.

Del Rio International Bridge Border Crossing, Texas top five trade partners accounted for 99.73 percent of its total trade through April. By way of comparison, the United States' top five trade partners accounted for 51.28 percent.

Taking a closer look at its leading trade partners:

Trade with No. 1 Mexico rose 14.02 percent to $1.75 billion.
Exports rose 18.76 percent to $743.47 million. Imports rose 10.76 percent to $1.01 billion.

Trade with No. 2 Thailand rose 247.93 percent to $6.7 million.
There were no exports. Imports rose 247.93 percent to $6.7 million.
Trade with No. 3 China rose 26.49 percent to $2.04 million.
There were no exports. Imports rose 26.49 percent to $2.04 million.
Trade with No. 4 Czech Republic rose 6226 percent to $1.62 million.
There were no exports. Imports rose 6226 percent to $1.62 million.
Trade with No. 5 United Kingdom fell 1.15 percent to $1.34 million.
There were no exports. Imports fell 1.15 percent to $1.34 million.

Del Rio International Bridge Border Crossing, Texas top five exports accounted for 38.16 percent of all its exports through April. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five exports accounted for 22.37 percent.

Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:

Civilian aircraft, parts rose 52.07 percent compared to last year to $110.56 million.
Motor vehicle parts rose 175.02 percent compared to last year to $76.37 million.
Electric domestic appliances, parts rose 0.99 percent compared to last year to $43.03 million.
Aircraft engines, parts rose 21.72 percent compared to last year to $28.43 million.
Misc. plastic articles fell 5.75 percent compared to last year to $25.33 million.

Del Rio International Bridge Border Crossing, Texas top five imports accounted for 61.81 percent of all its imports through April. By way of comparison, the United States’ top five imports accounted for 20.9 percent.

Here’s a closer look at the top five, by value:

Seats, excluding barber, dental fell 3.96 percent compared to last year to $194.73 million.
Motor vehicle parts rose 16.7 percent compared to last year to $156.21 million.
Aircraft engines, parts rose 44.03 percent compared to last year to $142.04 million. Insulated wire, cable rose 3.63 percent compared to last year to $86.51 million.
Electric domestic appliances, parts rose 4.45 percent compared to last year to $52.93 million.

Let’s Be Sure EVs Are Served along the Corridor

As a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into law in 2021, the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program will provide funding to individual states to develop electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure and establish an interconnected network across the United States. While the focus of the NEVI program is on highway-oriented DC fast-charging tied to federally-designated interstates and highways, the program places particular emphasis on projects that support rural charging, disproportionately impacted community charging, and infrastructure that supports commercial freight and goods movement.

To be eligible to receive federal NEVI funds, each state must submit a Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan by August 1, 2022 for approval by the federal Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. Is your community along the Ports-to-Plains Alliance Corridor having a voice in assuring it is not left out from this growing need. Below is information found by an internet search on the NEVI planning process in each of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance States.

Colorado

If you would like to participate in this effort, please take a moment to fill out this brief survey. The input gathered will be used to inform the priorities for EV fast-charging stations to be funded across Colorado. Once a draft NEVI Plan is developed and shared with the public, CDOT will host a live online public meeting in July 2022 to discuss key elements of the plan. This will be an opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions and provide additional input.

In the meantime, if you represent an organization or community that is interested in requesting a presentation on this topic, please contact CDOT to schedule a meeting.

Lastly, please visit our NEVI webpage to stay informed of future developments and additional stakeholder input opportunities. You can also subscribe to CDOT's mailing list to receive updates.

Montana

DEQ will lead the development of the plan in coordination with MDT. Anyone interested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, sharing information, or commenting on the development of the plan is encouraged to submit a public survey.

Share your ideas on how to best to use the NEVI Formula Program funds through our Public Survey.

Additional information is available here: https://deq.mt.gov/energy/Programs/fuels.

Oklahoma

NEVI provides Oklahoma more than $66 million in federal funding for EV charging infrastructure over the next five years. Federal funds must be matched with state, local and/or private funding. Oklahoma's vision for this program is to enhance the existing EV charging network through partnerships with local stakeholders and the private sector, which will build, maintain and operate these stations.
Information on the Oklahoma process to develop its Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan https://oklahoma.gov/evok.html

Nebraska

Nebraska will have access to $30.2 million (~$6 million/year) in formula funds for EV charging infrastructure while also still being able to compete for a portion of an additional $2.5 billion in discretionary grant funding. With guidance from U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT), NDOT will collaborate with key stakeholders such public power districts, communities along routes, planning partners, and businesses on EV charging development. The initial statewide plan will be submitted to our federal partners before August 1, 2022.

Information on the Nebraska process to develop its Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan https://dot.nebraska.gov/travel/nevi/. Be sure to complete either the Public or Business Surveys.

New Mexico

New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) expects to receive around $38 million from this program over five years from the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) to install EV charging infrastructure with a US DOT priority on Interstate highway locations.

Information on the New Mexico process to develop its Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan is available at https://www.dot.nm.gov/nevi/. This site includes a public survey, Public Meeting Notices, and Public Engagement Presentations.

North Dakota

Unable to find information on the development of a Statewide EV Infrastructure Plan.

South Dakota

Information on the South Dakota process to develop its South Dakota EV Fast Charging Plan is available at: https://dot.sd.gov/ev. No mention of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program was found.

Texas

For fiscal years 2022-2026, Texas will receive $407.8 million, with the Federal Highway Administration apportioning $60.4 million of that already for FY 2022. The EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan will address statewide connectivity and initial EV charging placement needs to reliably travel across the state and in rural areas, as well as augmenting the needs in urban areas for greater densities of EV vehicles.

Information on the Texas process to develop its EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan is available at: https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/statewide/032222.html. You will find Public NEVI Planning Map, EV Charging Survey, Statewide Planning Map (Under “Overlays, select “Alt Fuels – Electric”), and other useful input.

Wyoming

Wyoming is allocated $3.9 million this year and expects $5 million each year for the next four years for a total of $23.96 million for EV infrastructure. Currently Wyoming's interstates are designated as “EV Corridor-Pending” status by the FHWA.
Information on the Texas process to develop its National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program is available at: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/planning_projects/zero-emission-vehicles/national-electric-vehicle-infrastructure-(nevi)-program.html.

The Wyoming draft NEVI Plan is available for comment at: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/files/live/sites/wydot/files/shared/Planning/Electric%20Vehicles/Wyoming%20Nevi%20Plan%20(Public%20Comment%20Draft)%2013JUN22.pdf.