AWO, Labor Coalition Urge EPA to Reject CARB Waiver. On October 23, AWO President and CEO Jennifer Carpenter and labor coalition partners from the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, International Organization of Masters Mates & Pilots, and Inlandboatmen's Union of the Pacific sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging him to reject the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) request for a waiver under section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act in order to enforce its newest amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) rule. The letter focused on the CHC rule's mandated use of unproven, uncertified, and infeasible Diesel Particulate Filters and the supply chain crisis that could result from implementation of these amendments. The letter also underscored that the fleet of towing vessels in California has already been diminished by adoption of the CHC rule. As more and more towing vessels leave the state or must be pulled out of service to comply with the rule, the resulting slowdown of port activity would have a negative economic impact. 

 

EPA has had California's waiver request on its desk since January 2023, and no action has been taken since EPA held a virtual hearing on June 1, 2023 at AWO's request. AWO will continue to use all available avenues to urge EPA not to approve the CHC rule waiver until CARB takes action to ensure that the rule is practicable and safe.

AWO, Coalition Urge Change in Salvage and Firefighting Provision of USCG Authorization Act. AWO recently signed onto an industry coalition letter urging the House Transportation and Senate Commerce Committees to revise Section 401 of the House-passed version of the Coast Guard Authorization Act. Section 401 introduces changes related to salvage and marine firefighting systems (SMFF) requirements, which if implemented, could affect oil spill response capabilities nationwide.

 

The bill includes proposed changes such as modifying vessel response plan requirements, which conflict with existing oil spill response and SMFF regulations and authorizing the Coast Guard to review vessel plan contracts. The bill also authorizes the General Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on marine firefighting.

 

AWO and cosigners urged lawmakers to conduct the study with input from industry and key stakeholders prior to moving forward with any of the proposed changes to response plans and contract review, thereby ensuring they are rooted in careful analysis and reflect industry realities. For additional information, please contact Craig Montesano.

ABS Selected to Run Maritime Innovation Center. The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has selected the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to set up and helm the new U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation. The Center will support the study and deployment of new technologies and practices to enhance marine environmental performance. ABS and MARAD will spend the next six months determining the first set of research priorities and projects that the center will focus on. AWO supported ABS's proposal to lead the center and will engage closely with ABS and other stakeholders to ensure our members' interests are represented there.

IRS issues Final Section 45X Tax Credit Rule. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released final regulations for the advanced manufacturing production credit under Section 45X of the Internal Revenue Code. The 45X credits were enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act to provide a manufacturing tax credit for the production of renewable energy components. Vessels used in the construction of offshore wind turbines are also eligible to receive the tax credit. AWO successfully advocated for a broader definition of offshore wind vessels, including traditional vessel types such as towing vessels and barges, and not only those specially designed for offshore wind work. Vessels built or retrofitted for offshore wind work will receive a 10% credit through this new rule.

AWO Conducts Member Listening Sessions. Over the last two months, AWO conducted four online listening sessions to better understand member needs, concerns and priorities. The four sessions were geared toward small, medium and large carriers and affiliate members, respectively.

 

We heard several common themes throughout the listening sessions:

Encouragingly, the four sessions showed a commonality of thinking among members of different sizes, with no significant differences among member categories and small members expressing appreciation for AWO's efforts to reach out, include and represent their perspective.

 

We thank all of the members who participated in the listening sessions! It was very valuable to hear what's on your mind and your suggestions for how AWO can continue to improve its service to you and the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry overall. If you have any additional feedback you'd like to share, whether you were able to participate in the sessions or not, please feel free to send it to Caitlin Kidd.

EPA Awards Clean Ports Funding. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced 55 winners of $3 billion in Clean Ports Program grant funding. The grants will fund zero-emission port equipment and climate and air quality planning projects at ports in 27 states. Of the $2.5 billion awarded for zero-emission equipment, eight projects include funding for zero-emission vessels. These vessel projects are located in: Port of San Fransisco, Illinois International Port District, Port of Detroit, Port of New York and New Jersey, Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor, Port of Cleveland, Port of Corpus Christi, and the Port of Anacortes. Many of the zero-emission projects also include plans for expanded vessel shore power capabilities as well as battery energy storage.

Moran Towing Hosts Tugboat Tour for Congressman Carter in Savannah. Moran Towing

Corporation hosted a successful tugboat tour for Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA) on October 29. Thanks to Joe Myatt and his team at Moran Savannah, who shared an engaging narrative on how Moran tugs support the extremely busy container port. Discussions also centered on the Jones Act, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, safety, and regulatory challenges and opportunities. 

EPA to Hold Southern California Maritime Lithium-Ion Battery Hazard Exercise. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with the Coast Guard, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, Long Beach Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, and others to hold a marine lithium-ion battery training exercise at the Port of Long Beach on November 19. Participants will receive training to assess capabilities, plans, policies and procedures for managing lithium-ion fires at sea, in port, and on land. The class and exercise will be held virtually and in person at the Port of Long Beach. Registration is available here.

AWO/USCG Sector Luncheon Held in Mobile. AWO members operating in the Mobile area met on October 29 for a luncheon with Coast Guard personnel from Sector Mobile. Captain Michael Vega, Sector Commander, along with his Prevention and Waterways staff, CDR Tom Gibson, CDR Stephanie Washington, and LT Larry Schad, discussed inspection scheduling, harassment reporting, the status of USCG recruitment and personnel availability, and the positive working relationship between the USCG and maritime industry. AWO also welcomed Brent Ferrell, the new USCG Eighth District Towing Vessel Coordinator.

Help Amplify Our Industry Story - Join AWO's Latest Social Media Campaigns! AWO needs member content to continue to tell our members' compelling story. On social media, we have two new campaigns and we need your contributions!

Please send any contributions or questions to Deanna Wisniewski.

AWO Launches 80th Anniversary Webpage. AWO has launched a new webpage celebrating the association's 80th anniversary. Check our the page, which includes our 80th anniversary video as well as links to articles and op-eds in a variety of publications on AWO at 80.

Harness The Power of Habit Webinar: January 7 at 2:00 pm EST. Start your new year off on the right foot by joining AWO for a webinar hosted by Sharon Lipinski, the Habit Superhero. Sharon will lead a conversation on how to leverage cutting-edge neural science to ensure your New Year's Resolution sticks. Whether your goal is exercising, eating healthier, getting organized, or being more productive, you'll learn a 3-step system for reliably changing your behavior and use these strategies to create a new habit on the spot! Visit the AWO website to register via your member dashboard. For more information, contact Michael Breslin.