2014 . . . And the Story Continues
Having sat in this seat for more two decades I am sometimes asked if I’m tired of the job and ready to move along. (Thankfully, though, that question has never come from my boss.) Unequivocally the answer is “no.” While the maritime industry is often erroneously labeled as conservative and behind the technological times, it is in fact a vibrant and multi-faceted transport niche, a literal cast of characters with a liberal mix of international, national and local interests, power, innovation, money and greed.
U.S. Senate Moves To Debate Energy Savings Bill; Keystone Bid Stalls
The U.S. Senate agreed on Tuesday to advance a bipartisan energy efficiency bill, but it could die unless lawmakers end a stalemate on how to proceed with the long-delayed Keystone XL oil pipeline project. The Senate voted 79-20 to move toward a debate on the energy bill, making it the first big energy legislation to reach the Senate floor since 2007. Sponsored by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, the White House-backed bill would save energy through tougher building codes and by making the federal governmentinstall new technologies. Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat…
Offshore Revenue Sharing Legislation Passes U.S. House
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 2231, the 'Offshore Energy and Jobs Act'. The legislation would open new offshore areas to exploration by requiring the Obama Administration to create a new five year leasing plan for the United States’ offshore energy resources in areas containing the most oil and gas potential. Additionally, it would create a fair and equitable offshore revenue sharing program for coastal states like Alaska. “Once again the House of Representatives continues to lead the way when it comes to increasing domestic energy production. Today’s legislation would expand American offshore energy development, including more leasing in Alaska’s Beaufort and Chukchi Seas,” Alaskan Rep. Congressman Don Young said.
GNO Economic Development Package
As the 2009 state legislative session gets underway, Greater New Orleans, Inc. said it will be active in targeted areas of Energy, Trade, Creative Media, and Tax Competitiveness. The Energy policy platform is branded as REEL - Renewed Energy Economy of Louisiana. The energy package includes legislation to incentivize deep gas exploration and enhanced oil recovery. The energy legislation will be led by Rep. Nickie Monica from the River Parishes and Senator Blade Morrish from Southwest Louisiana. A recent study conducted by economist Dr. Jim Richardson projects that the combined impact of passing the energy bills would increase state revenues by $25 billion dollars over the next 30 years through increased oil and gas production, especially in south Louisiana.
Congress Offshore Drilling Bill Dims
According to Reuters, the U.S. House of Representatives will not accept legislation passed by the Senate that keeps most U.S. Atlantic and Pacific waters off-limits to energy exploration, a key U.S. Republican lawmaker. Comments by Rep. Joe Barton of Texas, chairman of the House Energy Committee, indicate dimming prospects that the energy legislation will pass Congress this year. House Republicans will not concede to Senate lawmakers' calls to accept an offshore drilling bill that expands energy exploration only narrowly, he said. Barton's comments to reporters at the Independent Petroleum Association of America's annual meeting signal tough going for offshore drilling legislation once Congress returns for a short voting session after the Nov. 7 mid-term elections.
