Cory Booker News

NY Waterway announced plans to repower four more of its older ferries, transitioning from traditionally diesel driven units to hybrid technology before eventually operating on pure electric.The private company, which runs ferry and bus service in the Port of New York and New Jersey and in the Hudson Valley, was awarded $7.298 million in grant funding for the project through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant program with the support of NJ TRANSIT.Each ferry upgrade consists of removing all main engines and generators…

While those in the Beltway continue to struggle to offer solutions to U.S. supply chain capacity issues, it seems apparent that policymakers have at least found their scapegoat for these issues in the form of the maritime industry. A specific talking point during the State of Union Address, a White House-endorsed agreement between the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and Department of Justice (DOJ), multiple pieces of legislation, and a vigorous hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce…

Twenty-two Democratic U.S. senators from 12 states on Thursday joined the chorus of local representatives seeking exemptions from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's newly proposed offshore drilling plan, after his surprise move on Tuesday to shield Florida. Zinke surprised lawmakers, governors, and industry groups on Tuesday night by announcing that Florida would be removed from the Interior Department's proposal to open up over 90 percent of federal waters to oil and gas leasing.

A Center of Excellence designation would allow San Jacinto College to expand maritime training. San Jacinto College is one step closer to having a Maritime Center of Excellence. The U.S. Senate recently voted to approve maritime workforce centers of excellence legislation as part of the FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This follows a vote made by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year to approve the legislation. While there are slight differences between the House-passed maritime workforce centers of excellence provision and the Senate-passed provision…

The Mariners’ Advisory Committee for the Bay and River Delaware, the Pilots Association for the Bay and River Delaware, and the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay applaud the inclusion of a $4.6 million request for aids to navigation, or ATONs, in President Obama’s FY17 U.S. Coast Guard budget justification. "Thanks to efforts last year by Sens. Cory Booker, Robert Casey, Christopher Coons, and Robert Menendez, the president's FY17 budget includes a proposal for an additional $4.6 million for U.S. Coast Guard to improve safety and navigation aids on the Delaware River," said Jonathan Kemmerley, chairman of the Mariners’ Advisory Committee. "I was encouraged to see the president's budget request include $4.6 million to be used for improving navigation on the Delaware River.

The United Seamen's Service (USS) honored Anthony Chiarello, President and CEO of TOTE Inc.; Matthew J. Cox, President and CEO of Matson; and James C. McKenna, President and CEO of Pacific Maritime Association with the 2015 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Award. The maritime industry's most prestigious award was presented at the 46th annual gala held at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel, New York City, on November 13, 2015. At this gala, the recipients shared the evening with a group of American seafarers who were recognized by the USS for specific acts of bravery at sea. All three recipients shared a history of early family ties to the maritime industry. Mr. McKenna spoke of his father-in-law introducing him to the waterfront nearly 45 years ago. Mr.

U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation to establish a multimodal freight investment policy to keep America businesses, farmers and shippers competitive the 21st century global economy. The National Multimodal Freight Policy and Investment Act (S.1680) creates a comprehensive, strategic plan for multimodal freight investment and reduces freight bottlenecks and congestion by investing in the nation’s network of highways, railroads, ports and intermodal facilities. It would also reduce the impact of freight movement on communities and help ensure the vitality of important “last-mile” freight connections. The bill is based, in part, upon the recommendations of the nonpartisan U.S.

U.S. “We are pleased to hear that the first shipment of rock salt arrived at Port Newark last night. When we first heard about the emergent nature of the State’s salt shortage in media reports, we immediately contacted the appropriate federal agencies on behalf of the health, safety and well-being of New Jersey residents seeking help in expediting procurement and delivery of much needed rock salt. “What has become clear is that the State Department of Transportation has fallen short in planning for and addressing its dwindling salt supply.

NJDOT wants Jones Act Waiver. U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have jointly sent a letter to both U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx requesting that they continue to assist New Jersey with receiving a critical supply of rock salt. They acknowledged both agencies’ role in securing maritime delivery of a 10,000-ton supplemental supply for the Garden State. “The State of New Jersey has been among the hardest hit states this winter season, with more than 70 inches of snow accumulated in some parts of the state,” wrote the Senators. “The Governor has issued at least four state of emergency alerts.