The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is currently seeking comments on its proposed modernization of regulations to facilitate offshore wind energy development. Originally due Mar. 31, the comment deadline was later extended to Monday, May 1. The proposal rule includes provisions for incremental funding of decommissioning accounts, more flexible geophysical and geotechnical survey submission requirements, streamlined approval [...]
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USCG Recertifies Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council
The Coast Guard today announced the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, AK. The recertification is effective for Mar. 1, 2023 – Feb. 29, 2024. The Council promotes environmentally safe operation of the Alyeska terminal and associated tankers.
USFWS Announces Revised West Indian Manatee MMPA Reports
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the availability of revised marine mammal stock assessment reports for two West Indian manatee stocks: the Florida manatee stock and Puerto Rico stock of the Antillean manatee. The stock assessment reports were revised based on new information that became available in 2020.
DOE Announces Offshore Wind Development Strategy
The U.S. Energy Dept. today announced the release of an Offshore Wind Energy Strategy summarizing DOE’s efforts to advance offshore wind energy deployment in the United States. The report specifically addresses efforts to reduce costs for fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind, support robust domestic supply chains, support transmission planning and infrastructure expansion, and promote storage and wind-to-fuel technologies. [...]
Nominations Sought for Hydrographic Services Review Panel
NOAA today announced that it is seeking nominations by Friday, Apr. 28 to fill five vacancies starting Jan. 1, 2024 on the Hydrographic Services Review Panel. Members will be appointed to 4-year terms. NOAA welcomes applications from individuals with expertise in hydrographic and marine navigation and technology, port administration, marine shipping or other intermodal transportation categories, cartography and [...]
Coast Guard Seeks Comments on Gulf of Mexico Port Access Route Study
The Coast Guard is currently seeking comments by Thursday, Apr. 27 on its evaluation of the adequacy of existing vessel routing measures and the need for additional routing measures for port approaches to Galveston Bay and Sabine Pass, TX and Calcasieu Pass, LA, and international and domestic transit areas in the 8th Coast Guard District area of responsibility. Originally due Apr. [...]
State Dept. Renews Charter for Shipping Coordinating Committee
The State Dept. today announced the 2-year renewal of the Shipping Coordinating Committee. The Committee provides the U.S. government and State Dept. with the views of industry and private citizens on a wide range of technical issues connected with shipping safety, security, and environmental protection, particularly with regard to U.S. participation at the International Maritime Organization.
Towing Safety Advisory Committee to Hold Public Meeting
The Coast Guard today announced that the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting in Jacksonville, FL on Wednesday, Apr. 12. The meeting will include remarks from Coast Guard leadership, reports on anticipated challenges for the towing vessel industry and challenges being faced due to the pandemic, recommendations for rulemaking improvements and crew member training and instruction, and [...]
CEQ Announces Members of CCUS Fed. Lands & OCS Permitting Task Force
The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced the members of the Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration Federal Lands and Outer Continental Shelf Permitting Task Force. The 35-member Task Force includes representatives from industry (9), NGOs (8), state/local/tribal governments (10), federal agencies (6), and academia (2). The Task Force, which will meet at least twice [...]
Biden Issues Memorandum on Pacific Remote Islands Sanctuary Designation
Following the White House’s Mar. 21 announcement on President Biden’s direction for Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo to consider initiating a national marine sanctuary designation within 30 days that would expand protections around the Pacific Remote Islands in an action that would conserve 777,000 square miles (including the existing ~495,000 square mile Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument), the [...]
