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For Immediate Release
09/27/07
Contact: |
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Commerce Committee Approves Measure that Tempers Spread of Invasive Species
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved S. 1578, The Ballast Water Management Act of 2007, as amended, which strengthens the existing national ballast water management program for aquatic nuisance species, including uniform, mandatory national standards for ballast water treatment.
“This ballast water legislation strengthens existing federal authorities and enhances important environmental protections aimed at further stemming the tide of invasive species entering our waters from ships,” said Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye. “The Committee’s approach is a pragmatic, bipartisan approach that offers the opportunity for meaningful and effective environmental legislation to move through the Senate and ultimately reach the President’s desk.”
Ballast water is the water ships generally carry for stability that is usually discharged as cargo is unloaded. It is a major source of invasive species in U.S. waterways that can cause both environmental and economic damage.
Specifically, the Ballast Water Management Act of 2007, introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska):
- Implements a recommendation by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy to adopt a national ballast water management program for aquatic nuisance species, including uniform, mandatory national standards for ballast water treatment. It also implements an international agreement, negotiated in the International Maritime Organization.
- Strengthens existing federal law by amending the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (NANPCA) to require mandatory ballast water treatment technology on all vessels that come to a U.S. port. The bill sets performance standards 100 times stronger than the minimum international standards and includes provisions for strengthening these standards in the future, with a goal of zero discharge.
- Requires, until treatment is required, the exchange of ballast water with water in mid-ocean to reduce the number of aquatic nuisance species being transported.
- Provides states with the authority to develop programs to regulate invasive species from ships so long as the provisions do not conflict with the federal program. Such programs could include all of the provisions included in the federal program – treatment standards, other management practices, research and technology development, as well as other provisions such as the imposition of port fees.
- Allows states to establish no discharge zones in sensitive state waters, a mechanism for strengthening the performance standards in the future, and a right of action for states against the Coast Guard and EPA.
- Authorizes $50 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 for the Coast Guard to implement the bill, of which up to a total of $10 million could be provided to states that enter cooperative agreements with the Coast Guard.
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28th - |
Commerce Committee Seeks Reform for Consumer Product Safety Commission
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee legislative hearing on S. 2045, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act of 2007.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the state of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, examine reforms that are necessary to make t...
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28th - |
Commerce Committee Seeks to Bolster U.S. Competitiveness in Science
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Science, Technology, and Innovation Subcommittee hearing titled Science Parks: Bolstering U.S. Competitiveness.
At this hearing, the Committee will explore the effects science parks can have on innovation and competitiveness including encouraging partnerships with academia, and spurring regional ...
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27th - |
Inouye Looks Forward to Future Action on the Internet Tax Moratorium
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement today regarding S. 1453, the IFTA Extension Act of 2007:
“I am disappointed that the Commerce Committee was unable to act on legislation to extend the Internet tax moratorium at today’s markup. But after discussions with my colleagues, I believe that further negotiations are warran...
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27th - |
current Press Release |
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25th - |
Government and Industry Reps to Testify on Airport Congestion and Delay
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation released today a witness list for an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on Congestion and Delays: The Impact on Travelers and Possible Solutions. The witnesses are listed below.
The hearing, now scheduled for 10:30 a.m., will focus on modernization and efforts to address the needs...
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24th - |
Commerce Committee to Review DHS Admin of Port Security Programs
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The hearing will review the Department of Homeland Securitys implementation and administration of several port and cargo security programs authorized in the SAFE Port Act, the Maritime and Transport...
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21st - |
Inouye Announces September 27 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye announced today a Committee Executive Session for Thursday, September 27, 2007, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
During the Executive Session, Committee members will markup the following agenda items:
1. S. 1578, Ballast Water Management Act of 2007
2. S. 1889, Railroa...
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21st - |
Commerce Committee Seeks Government, Industry Perspectives on DTV Transition
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At this hearing, the Committee will explore the status of the digital television transition including consumer education efforts, the operation and implementation of the National Telecommunications...
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20th - |
Inouye Hopeful to Move Internet Tax Moratorium Extension Next Week
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“The Senate Commerce Committee is actively working toward legislation to extend the Internet tax moratorium. I remain hopeful that pragmatism, and not politics, will prevail and that my colleagues can agree upon reasonable legislation that can be marked-up next week, and thereafter...
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18th - |
Aviation Subcommittee to Evaluate Airport Congestion and Delay
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The hearing will focus on modernization and efforts to address the needs of the air traffic system and to improve the movement of aircraft and passengers. Su...
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16th - |
NFL Commissioner, NFLPA Exec. Director, Former Players to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee
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13th - |
Inouye Cosponsors CPSC Reform Act
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11th - |
Witnesses Announced for FTC Reauthorization Hearing
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7th - |
Interstate Commerce Subcommittee to Hold FTC Reauthorization Hearing
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The hearing will examine a diverse range of policy areas under the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) jurisdiction including: gas prices and oil price-gouging, the common carrier e...
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