NOIA Calls for Offshore Wind Territories Act
National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) said that U.S. territories need the Offshore Wind for Territories Act.The U.S. has five permanently inhabited 'Territories' in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands which are directly overseen by the United States Federal Government.NOIA President Randall Luthi issued this statement: “The House passage of H.R. 6665 is welcome news for many Americans this holiday season. Too often, Americans in the U.S. territories are our forgotten citizens."The Offshore Wind for Territories Act empowers U.S. territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico to tap their offshore resources and strengthen their energy security…
US Navy Puts Energy Initiatives on Display
The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) hosted the Senate Committee for Energy and Natural Resources and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water and Power, to discuss Navy and Marine Corps energy initiative programs. The committee members toured exhibits showcasing new green technologies which will help the military conserve energy and improve consumption efficiency. Each exhibit provided a glimpse of environmentally friendly equipment that will enhance operational, tactical and fuel efficiency which is critical to the today's military.
Senate Hearing, Liability for Offshore Oil Production
The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources conducted a hearing to receive testimony on the liability and financial responsibility issues related to offshore oil production. The committee also considered the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments act of 2010 (S. 3346) to increase the limits on liability under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) testified. Mr. Thomas Perrelli, Department of Justice, testified concerning liability and compensation under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). Mr. David Hayes, Department of the Interior, testified concerning the Department’s outer continental shelf oil and gas development enforcement program. Mr.
Ishee Named New MMS Deputy Director
The Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced the appointment of Mary Katherine Ishee as deputy director. In this capacity, Ishee will assist MMS Director Liz Birnbaum in the administration of programs that ensure the effective management of energy resources located on the nation’s Outer Continental Shelf — including the development of offshore renewable energy — and the environmentally safe exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas. “Mary Katherine brings more than two decades of experience in energy and environmental policy to MMS,” said Birnbaum. Ishee comes to MMS from a position as an energy and environmental consultant in private practice.
