Peters Floor Remarks on Urgent Need to Upgrade Soo Locks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters spoke on the Senate floor yesterday about legislation he has introduced with Senator Debbie Stabenow and other Members of the Michigan Congressional delegation to authorize funding for construction of another Poe-sized lock at the Soo Locks.

Watch his remarks here.

Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak about legislation that I introduced with my colleague from Michigan, Senator Stabenow, to authorize funding for a new Soo Lock.

“Since 1855, locks at the St. Mary’s River have allowed ships to pass between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. In modern times, this waterway has allowed large freighters to move coal, iron ore, and agricultural products throughout the Great Lakes.

“The Soo Locks are the most important link in a critical supply chain that connects iron ore mines in Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with steel mills and manufacturing facilities all over the country.

“During World War II, Congress authorized funding for a new lock because it was clear that the country’s ability to move iron ore to steel plants in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania was critical to the war effort.

“It took less than two years to complete that project after Congress authorized the funding in 1942.

“President Roosevelt signed an executive order establishing the military district of Sault Ste. Marie, and the Army stationed over 10,000 troops there to defend the Soo Locks by land, air, and sea, so great was the fear that a German attack would instantly cripple Allied efforts to produce steel and weapons.

“Today, there is only one Soo Lock – the Poe Lock – that is large enough to accommodate modern freighters, especially the one thousand foot-long vessels that move millions of tons of iron ore each year.

“Over 80% of the commodities that flow through the Soo Locks must pass through the Poe Lock. And each one of the thousand-footers carries the equivalent of 3,000 truckloads of commodities.

“It is not possible to move that amount of iron ore in these thousand footers by rail or road. On top of that, the steel mills are only equipped to handle the iron ore supply by water.

“A study conducted by the Department of Homeland Security in 2015 confirmed that it is the Achilles heel of our economy.

“Key findings from the department – and I am quoting here – say:

‘A disruption of the Poe Lock likely will cause an almost complete shutdown of Great Lake steel production.’

“The report goes on to say: ‘A shutdown of Great Lakes steel production likely will cause almost all North American appliances, automobile, construction equipment, farm equipment, mining equipment, and railcar production to cease within weeks.’ 

“Within weeks! The Homeland Security report estimates that 11 million Americans would lose their jobs if this were to happen.

“Mr. President, I urge you to consider the fact that the jobs of millions of American workers depend on the ability of large ships to pass [motion to the placard] from here to here on the St. Mary’s Falls Canal. Currently, there is only one lock that can accommodate this task.

“If this lock shuts down, steel plants in Ohio and Indiana and Kentucky shut down. Auto plants in Texas, Tennessee, California, and Michigan shut down. The American economy shuts down.

“The losses would be felt throughout the United States, wherever steel is used in the manufacturing process.

“We are taking an unacceptable risk if we do not act swiftly ensure there is a backup in the case of a lock failure.

“That is why I am joining Senator Stabenow members of the Michigan Congressional delegation from both parties to introduce a bill that would authorize the funding for constructing another larger, Poe-sized lock.

“The current authorization for the project is far below projected cost estimates.

“Our bill introduced today - if enacted - will allow the Army Corps to move directly into the design and construction phase, we do not have a moment to lose.

“Just last week, I traveled to the Soo Locks for a tour with members of Michigan’s Congressional delegation. We saw first-hand how the dedicated women and men of the Army Corps are working to keep the locks functional.

“They go to work each and every day with a full understanding of how the safety and security of the nation rests in their ability to maintain the lock equipment.

“It is a credit to the skill of the Army Corps engineers that freighters have been able to pass through the St. Mary’s on their journeys around the Great Lakes almost without interruption.

“But they are working with equipment that has been maintained well beyond its lifecycle, in some cases, beyond two lifecycles. When I was there last week, I saw one hundred year old water pumps still in use.

“We cannot continue to rely on infrastructure investments made by our grandparents and great-grandparents. 

“It is time our time to invest in our country and the wellbeing of our economy for future generations and pass the Soo Locks Modernization Act.”