Recent OP ED's

In case you missed them, here are the most recent OP ED's from MarEx's Editor-in-chief Tony Munoz.

A Brave New World- New Rules for Drilling in the OCS

October 14, 2010

The Obama Administration says the US drilling moratorium is over, but implementation of “New Rules” might delay operations until mid-2011. While Interior Secretary Salazar was announcing the government was removing the ban on OCS drilling, Michael Bromwich of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) said his agency will not be granting permits until the end of the year or whenever it deems appropriate safeguards are in place.

Unquestionably, Americans have witnessed one of the most catastrophic environmental events in US history and there absolutely needs to be a complete review of standards for operations in deepwater. But, the administration essentially shut down the entire GOM by slowing the permitting process over the last five months. The “good faith” removal of the moratorium by the administration might signal an end to the pain and suffering along the Gulf Coast, but, the onus now sits squarely with DOI and the BOEM to really lift the ban by expediting permits and rig inspections, and by reviewing and approving emergency response plans. Read More>>>

*****

When Leadership Prevails On Capitol Hill

September 30, 2010

Cummings Lights A Fire For the US Maritime Industry

The US Merchant Marine (USMM) has been an integral factor in building a secure and wealthy nation since its birth. But, it has fallen on hard times since the 1970s due to weak government policies. In fact, today’s maritime policies and funding are pathetic at best as the US government continues to dump billions upon billions into broken highway systems that are constantly in need of maintenance while the maritime industry gets next to nothing in support. However, the USMM has a real champion in Representative Elijah Cummings (MD-07), who grilled MARAD’s administrator David Masuda at a hearing yesterday, challenging his knowledge and leadership of the industry’s most vital link to the administration.

One of the issues that had Cummings hot under the collar is the Department of Energy’s (DOE) guaranteed loan program, which snubs its nose at the Cargo Preference laws. DOE is authorized to provide up to $4 billion in guaranteed loans for energy related projects, including wind farms, renewable energy, and other energy related projects. Yet, it denies US carriers access to transport cargos derived from these loans. Read More>>>