News Digest - 032114

DOT 29-13

PHMSA Amends Regulations to Reduce Hazardous Materials Paperwork Burden. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) incorporated 22 longstanding hazardous materials special permits and four competent authority approvals into the Hazardous Materials Regulations.  These have been added to help eliminate the need for hundreds of grantee renewal applications for hazmat industry associations.  This will reduce paperwork and facilitate commerce, and still maintain PHMSA’s commitment to the safe transport of hazardous materials.  For more information go to: Federal Register Notice.  PHMSA Contact:  Joe Delcambre (202) 493-0730

Second National Maritime Strategy Symposium. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) will publish a Federal Register Notice on March 24, 2014 inviting the public and Marine Transportation System stakeholders to participate in the agency’s second symposium intended to develop a robust national maritime strategy. The purpose of this second public meeting is to gather ideas to improve the utilization, vitality and competiveness of the Nation’s marine transportation system.  The principal focus areas will include, but are not limited to, U.S. ports, domestic shipping, and U.S. Shipyards. The notice also asks the public to offer ideas for speakers and topic proposals to include on the public meeting’s agenda. This public meeting will take place from 9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m., May 6, 2014. The pre-publication version of the notice can be found at https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-06307  and will be open for suggested agenda topics, comments and ideas from March 24 until April 25, 2014. Kim Strong – Tel: 202-366-5807