Press Room

Commissioner Adrian Garcia Meets With Federal Officials In Washington, D.C. To Address ITC Event, Infrastructure, and Workforce Development For Precinct 2

HOUSTON – Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia met with federal officials in Washington, D.C., this week to advocate for infrastructure resources and enhancing safety and collaboration with the chemical industry after the ITC explosion.

During the visit, which spanned Monday, April 1, through Thursday, April 4, Commissioner Garcia met with EPA officials to address the lack of air monitors available after a fire broke out at Intercontinental Terminals Company in Deer Park March 17 and burned for days. Garcia emphasized the need for more foam on site to be able to combat these blazes, as well as the importance of knowing quickly what is inside the tanks so first-responders can be both safe and effective.

“We need to work together, at all levels of government, to ensure industry leaders and our communities cannot just co-exist, but be good neighbors and look out for each other,” Commissioner Garcia said.

ITC continued to be addressed in meetings with Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s team, Senator John Cornyn, various members of Congress and the American Chemical Council. Also in those discussions, Commissioner Garcia pushed for infrastructure resources in Precinct 2, specifically around the Port of Houston and advocated for more funding for community colleges to help with workforce development.

“I’m working to make sure Precinct 2 is the place where people and companies alike come to thrive,” Garcia said. “But I can’t do it alone. All government stakeholders need to be aware of our needs and exactly what needs to be done to address it.”

Garcia wrapped up the trip Thursday with meetings with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher and the National Association of Counties.

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