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Us Chamber Of Commerce News

02 Oct 2023

Biden Angers All Sides with Scaled Back Offshore Oil Drilling Plan

Credit: Lukasz Z/AdobeStock

The Biden administration's plan to slash offshore oil and gas leasing drew fire from both the fossil fuel industry and environmentalists on Friday, with energy companies saying it will raise fuel prices and greens saying it undermines efforts to stop global warming. The criticism from both sides reflects the difficulty Biden's White House has had in dealing with U.S. oil extraction policies, as it seeks to balance national energy security with the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change.

09 Jun 2023

Business Group Urges Biden to Intervene in West Coast Ports Labor Dispute

© Matt Gush / Adobe Stock

The largest U.S. business group on Friday urged President Joe Biden him to intervene immediately and appoint an independent mediator to address a West Coast ports labor dispute.More than 22,000 dockworkers at ports from California to Washington state have been working without a contract since July. U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark in a letter to Biden cited "continued and potentially expanded service disruptions at these ports heading into peak shipping season."Tensions


04 Jul 2022

Five-year Plan: U.S. to Hold Between Zero and 11 Offshore Drilling Lease Sales

Credit:  flyingrussian/AdobeStock

President Joe Biden's administration on Friday unveiled a five-year proposal for offshore oil and gas development in areas of existing production, and said the final plan may have anywhere from zero to 11 lease sales.The range of options, between two auctions a year and none at all, sought to balance the administration's efforts to fight climate change with its calls to increase oil and gas supplies in the face of soaring fuel prices.The proposed plan includes no more than 10 possible sales in the Gulf of Mexico and one in the Cook Inlet off the coast of Alaska


18 Jun 2020

US Urges China to Accelerate Purchases of American Goods

© Brad Nixon / Adobe Stock

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday underscored the importance of functional U.S.-China ties and urged Beijing to step up its purchases of U.S. goods and services as agreed under a Phase 1 trade deal despite delays caused by the coronavirus.The Chamber said the pandemic had clearly slowed progress for both governments, but there were reasons to be hopeful. It also welcomed regular talks between the world's two largest economies on implementation of purchases, intellectual property reforms and other issues covered by the trade deal.“Implementation is critical.

03 Sep 2019

Trump warns China Against Trade Talk Delays

AdobeStock / © Rawf8

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned he would be "tougher" on Beijing in a second term if trade talks dragged on, compounding market fears that ongoing trade disputes between the United States and China could trigger a U.S. recession.The world's two largest economies imposed fresh tariffs on each other on Sunday, ratcheting up a tit-for-tat tariff war that has unsettled financial markets and raised the specter of a global recession. U.S. and Chinese negotiators are due to meet in person in Washington this month, but no date has yet been set.U.S.

11 Jul 2018

China Will Hit Back After New US Tariffs

© lianxun zhang / Adobe Stock

China accused the United States of bullying and warned it would hit back after the Trump administration raised the stakes in their trade dispute, threatening 10 percent tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods.China's commerce ministry said on Wednesday it was "shocked" and would complain to the World Trade Organisation, but did not immediately say how it would retaliate. In a statement, it called the U.S. actions "completely unacceptable".The foreign ministry described Washington's


18 Jan 2018

Trump Administration's Infrastructure Plan Taking Shape

The Trump administration is finalizing its long-awaited infrastructure plan, which would push most of the financing of projects to private investment and state and local taxpayers, according to sources familiar with the proposal taking shape. President Donald Trump, who spoke frequently of improving U.S. infrastructure during his 2016 campaign, may preview the plan in his Jan. 30 State of the Union address, but details are not expected until afterward, the sources said. Two people briefed on it said it would likely recommend dividing $200 billion in federal funding over 10 years into four pools of funds. The administration is structuring the plan to encourage $1.35 trillion in state


01 Aug 2017

Caterpillar CFO to Retire in 2018

Brad Halverson (Photo: Caterpillar)

Caterpillar Inc. will begin its global, external search for a new chief financial officer after it announced that group president and CFO Brad Halverson has elected to retire in early 2018, concluding a career spanning more than three decades with the company. Halverson will continue working into early 2018 and will help ensure a smooth transition for the new CFO. Prior to becoming CFO, Halverson served two years as vice president of the Finance Services Division, and before that position, he was the corporate controller. Halverson joined Caterpillar in 1988 as an accountant.

11 Dec 2014

Safeguarding GPS When Global Positioning Doesn’t Work

Entrance to the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center.

Suppose the Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers used for your vessel, offshore oil platform, or port facility could not generate position data needed for your operations. How would your crew or staff respond? Initial troubleshooting efforts may indicate equipment failures, antenna masking, or possibly human error. Additionally, the lack of position data will likely force your crew or staff to resort to secondary means to obtain position information. If position data cannot be regained, then the receivers may have lost GPS due to intentional or unintentional interference.

25 Sep 2014

MTU Plant 'S.C. Manufacturer of the Year’

The MTU Aiken Plant, which produces world-class diesel engines and components, has been named South Carolina Chamber of Commerce‘s 2014 Small/Medium Manufacturer of the Year. The facility is operated by MTU America Inc. The MTU brand is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems within the Marine and Industrial Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce. The award was presented during the inaugural Palmetto Vision Awards Gala held on 18 September at the Marriott Columbia. This prestigious recognition – presented by the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – is the most comprehensive statewide manufacturing award in the nation. MTU America was one of hundreds of companies nominated from across the Palmetto state.

23 Sep 2014

In Support of Affordable Energy

As its key mission, Waterways Council, Inc. (WCI) advocates for a modern and well-maintained system of inland waterways and ports. WCI’s top issues areas include the implementation of waterways’ improvement legislation in the recently enacted WRRDA; remembering Rivers (the Fourth “R”) among Rail, Roadways and Runways; improving the reliability of the waterways system and properly funding its Operations & Maintenance; assuring navigation reliability during times of flooding and drought; and supporting a balanced approach to invasive aquatic species. But WCI has added another critically important issue to its portfolio: supporting affordable energy options. American consumers deserve affordable options for electricity, including our nation’s ever-abundant supply of coal.

23 Jun 2014

Coalition Asks Senate for Vessel Discharge Legislation

Tom Allegretti, AWO’s President & CEO

On June 20, a diverse coalition of 58 national and regional organizations representing a wide array of leading business, maritime and labor organizations signed on to a letter to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD) urging that the committee mark up and approve S. 2094, a bill that would establish a uniform, science-based national framework for the regulation of ballast water and other vessel discharges. S. 2094, introduced on March 6 by Sens.

22 May 2014

U.S. Senate passes $12.3 billion WRRDA Bill

The U.S. Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation that authorizes spending on inland waterways and port infrastructure, and tackles flood protection and measures to limit damage from storms. The Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) passed by 91 to 7 after being approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday in a lopsided vote of 412 to 4. It now goes to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it into law. The $12.3 billion bill, the first major U.S. waterways legislation in seven years, authorizes 34 projects across the country, from deepening a port in Jacksonville, Florida, to dredging and expanding Boston Harbor, to funding for oyster restoration prospects on Chesapeake Bay.

21 May 2014

AAPA Hails U.S. House Passage of WRRDA

Citing it as a major victory for ports, the American Association of Port Authorities is hailing passage in the U.S. House today of H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). The U.S. Senate will vote on the bill this Thursday, where easy passage is expected. House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), a major WRRDA champion, cited the bill for cutting red tape, strengthening trade and creating jobs. AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle said, “We’re extremely pleased that WRRDA passed the House today. Mr. Another aspect of the bill provides more equity for HMT donor ports. The bill allows for expanded uses when spending increases and authorizes a separate program for HMT donor and energy ports.

02 May 2014

Give Iran Talks A Chance - Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Friday negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program have to be given a chance, but sanctions could still be reinstated if needed. Merkel said Iran had to comply with an agreement under which Tehran agreed to limit parts of its nuclear work in return for the easing of some sanctions. "If Iran does not meet its obligations, or does not meet them adequately, we remain ready to take back the current limited suspension of sanctions," she said at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event. "But first of all, we have to give the negotiations a chance." (Reporting by Krista Hughes)

14 Mar 2014

Industry Urges Senate for Vessel Discharge Legislation

On March 13, a diverse coalition of 59 national and regional organizations representing a wide array of business, maritime and labor interests signed on to a letter to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee leadership, Chairman John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD), thanking them for cosponsoring S. 2094, a bill that would establish a uniform national framework for the regulation of ballast water and other vessel discharges, and urging swift Committee consideration and approval. S. 2094, introduced on March 6 by Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), has 23 bipartisan co-sponsors, nearly one-quarter of the Senate.

12 Mar 2014

OPIC Awards Ellicott for Dredge Work in Iraq

Congressman Mark Meadows (NC) and Ellicott's Peter Bowe

In a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation’s (OPIC) President and Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth L. Littlefield presented Ellicott Dredge Enterprises, LLC and its Ellicott Dredges LLC entity with OPIC’s inaugural “Impact Award” for Ellicott’s work in Iraq. Ellicott was one of only eight organizations across the country receiving this award from OPIC, the U.S. Government’s development finance institution. With the assistance of political risk insurance from OPIC


12 Dec 2013

Louisiana Cargo Transfer Terminal Approved

A.G. Crowe

Approval clears way to create nation’s largest deepwater containerized cargo transfer terminal, enhancing U.S. competitiveness as Panama Canal expands. Transshipment facility off Louisiana coast intended to improve America’s strained shipping infrastructure, streamline international trade flow and create long-term jobs in 32 states. Louisiana State Senator A.G. Crowe’s vision of making America more competitive and capitalizing on the Gulf of Mexico’s deep-water resources has taken


05 Mar 2013

World Bank Offers to Aid Jamaica's Logistics Hub Plans

Jamaica’s plans to become one of the world’s top four logistics centres has received a major boost after the World Bank committed to providing technical and other assistance for specific aspects of the proposed Global Logistics Hub initiative. The World Bank Group, through its representative to Jamaica, Giorgio Valentini, has endorsed the Government of Jamaica’s plans for the logistics hub initiative, describing it as ‘transformational’ when implemented which will significantly enhance Jamaica’s potential for growth. A 16 person delegation from the World Bank Group visited Jamaica last month for consultations on Jamaica’s Country Partnership Strategy which will feature the Logistics Hub Initiative.

30 Nov 2012

Movement of $7 Billion in Commodities in Jeopardy

Mike Toohey, WCI’s President & CEO

The American Waterways Operators and Waterways Council, Inc. continue to warn Congress and the Administration of the economic effects that the nation’s midsection would face in the wake of further navigation restrictions or possible Mississippi River closure to barge traffic in mid-December. States along the river would see an immediate impact on jobs and wages, and the potential toll would be harshest in Louisiana, Illinois and Missouri, with thousands of impacted jobs and tens


25 Jul 2012

Law of the Sea Treaty Heads Arctic Challenges for U.S.

The melting polar icecap is presenting both opportunities and challenges for the United States and other Arctic nations, as well as other nations with interests in the region. Arctic ice cover has declined consistently over the past few decades. Increased accessibility, dubbed an “emerging maritime frontier” by U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., presents a host of opportunities for oil and gas development, fishing, tourism, and transportation. It also creates myriad challenges related to Arctic governance, marine safety, indigenous populations, scientific research, and environmental stewardship. This article reviews the state of play regarding claims to the Arctic and the U.S.

20 Dec 2011

BRAZIL: U.S. Find New Opportunities

While the U.S. economy may be in the doldrums, smart U.S. companies are looking increasingly to exports to help their bottom lines. A major market for U.S. exports is Brazil. This article examines new market opportunities in the oil and gas, shipbuilding and port infrastructure in Brazil, and identifies certain financing sources available to U.S. companies seeking to participate in these markets. Brazil’s growth in recent years has been amazing. Over the past 5 years, real GDP growth in Brazil has averaged 4.3% annually (as compared to 1.3% annually in the U.S.), reaching 7.5% in 2010.

14 Nov 2011

Horizon Lines Expands Board of Directors

Board to expand to eleven from eight; seven New Board Members Join Four Existing Directors; Four Directors Retire. Horizon Lines, a domestic ocean shipping company, today announced that it will expand its Board of Directors to 11 members from eight, effective November 25, 2011. In conjunction with the expansion, seven new directors will be appointed and four of the existing eight directors will retire. ‱ Jeffrey A. Brodsky, Kurt M. Cellar, Carol B. Hallett, James LaChance, Steven L. Rubin, Martin Tuchman and David N. Weinstein will join the board as independent directors.