Houston, TX - On Monday, August 19, Houston-based NACE International hosted Congressman Pete Olson for a tour of its training facilities and labs, and a visit with staff members. Corrosion control plays an important role in public and environmental safety and is a significant economic driver in Houston and worldwide. Corrosion control keeps energy moving and infrastructure functioning while providing long-term job opportunities in a growing professional field.
“We are honored to host Congressman Olson at our headquarters,” said Bob Chalker, Executive Director of NACE International. “Our members’ daily work to prevent corrosion has a tremendous impact on society and this visit is an opportunity to show Congressman Olson how corrosion control makes a difference to everything from pipelines to bridges to water mains and much more.”
During his tour, Rep. Olson saw NACE International’s training facility which includes a coatings lab and cathodic protection test field where students receive hands-on instruction of corrosion control techniques used for pipelines, storage tanks, and other structures. In 2013 more than 13,000 students have already received NACE training in one of 26 courses offered by the organization. Many students have also received certifications from the NACE International Institute which elevates professional performance standards worldwide.
“Our organization is particularly supportive of the Congressman’s work in the energy and transportation sectors,” said Chalker. “Corrosion costs the U.S. as much as $452 Billion annually, or approximately $1,500 per American citizen, and that cost can be reduced by as much as thirty percent using existing corrosion control technology. This is a topic we’ll be discussing with the Congressman and it’s a message we will continue to take to Capitol Hill.”
About NACE International
Founded in Houston in 1943, NACE International, The Corrosion Society, serves 32,000 members in 130 countries. Based in Houston, Texas, with offices in the U.S., China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, the organization serves all industries impacted by corrosion and provides the most specified technical training and certification programs, conferences, industry standards, reports, and publications focused on corrosion prevention and mitigation. NACE employs 100 individuals at its Houston headquarters and 20 employees at its other global offices.
