House passes Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Act
Last week, the Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 (H.R.4005) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The act reauthorizes spending for the Coast Guard for the next two years, protecting the ability of the Coast Guard to continue vital missions and will provide for the modernization of Coast Guard assets. Highlights of note to ports include the continued funding of the Maritime Administration's small shipyard grants program, reforms to the Federal Maritime Administration, a call to study the impact of limited LNG exports, and direction to the Department of Transportation to create a national maritime strategy to increase the competitiveness of U.S. flag vessels.
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Dredging exhibit opens at Oregon History Museum on May 1st
The Oregon History Museum has collaborated with the Port of Portland to create a new exhibition showing how dredging has shaped Oregon's history. In commemoration of the Port of Portland vessel, Dredge Oregon, and its recent upgrades, this exhibit highlights the role of dredges like the Oregon in maintaining the Willamette and Columbia River navigation channels for maritime trade. The ability of ships to get to and from the Portland region has shaped the city-both geographically and economically--helping it become a manufacturing center and transportation hub for products into and out of the region. A brief history of the Port will be discussed along with its original dredging mission, as mandated by the state legislature in 1891. The importance of Portland as a national and international trade center and seaport will also be examined, within the context of the necessity of dredging to uphold access to the city and the Pacific Ocean.
Multnomah County residents receive unlimited free admission. Regular admission is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, $5 youth (6-18), free for children under 5. To learn more, click here.
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Ports of Seattle and Tacoma selected for EPA DERA grants
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On April 8th, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the six national recipients in the most recent round of Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grants. DERA funds can be used to retrofit, replace, or repower diesel engines to reduce harmful emissions. PNWA members who received grants were the Port of Seattle for their Drayage Truck Replacement Project and the Port of Tacoma for their Switcher Locomotive Repower. Congratulations to these two Puget Sound ports for securing this important funding.
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Port of Everett seeks Executive Director/CEO
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With the announced retirement of longtime Executive Director John Mohr, the Port of Everett has initiated a hiring process for a new leader. Click here to view the job posting and additional information about the Port. Interested applicants should direct questions to Jan Cooper. The application process closes on May 15th.
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