Page 16: of Marine News Magazine (February 2014)

INSIGHTSto have little trouble ?saving? industries such as banking and auto manufacturing, so there are few valid arguments why it cannot turn its attention to the maritime industry. Given the growth in global trade and the need for domes- tic transportation alternatives along with great job oppor- tunities, the maritime industry is the type of cutting edge 21st Century industry that the United States needs to play a signi cant role. The challenge is getting the Washington to wake up before it is too late. Sum up what our national transportation strategy should be in the come year. Five years? Ten? The nation?s current transportation ?strategy? seems to be about convenience, not competitiveness. People forget that the federal government was originally formed to ad- dress interstate and foreign commerce challenges and some of the  rst federal programs dealt with transportation, such as lighthouses and shipping. Today, the focus is mostly on urban mobility and, as a result, the federal program has be- come mired in local minutia instead of the global trans- portation and economic needs of the nation. The federal government should step back from its current microman- aging of transportation, focus on freight and the projects that enhance economic growth, give States and localities greater  exibility in allocating funds, eliminate the red tape that adds little beyond time and expense to the process, and develop a national gateway and investment plan. Wind Power: 2014 brings us seemingly closer than ever to this so-far unrealized maritime, offshore in- dustry here in the United States. Virginia is in the mix, as well as Massachusetts, Rhode Island and others. Where does it look most likely to Þ nally happen Ð and more importantly why or why not? The challenge offshore wind energy faces today is the same challenge we seem to face in every sector of infra- structure: federal rhetoric versus reality. Washington poli- cymakers publicly state their support for renewable and al- ternative energy but at the same time they have done little to address the regulatory and legal hurdles that have stalled these projects. Offshore wind energy is good for both mar- itime jobs and diversifying America?s energy future. How- ever, this industry will not reach its full potential until the federal government can assure project developers that their investment will actually result in wind farm construction and operation.After high proÞ le tenures as U.S. Maritime Adminis- trator and Secretary of Transportation for the Com- monwealth, whatÕs next for Sean Connaughton? I have not decided yet. I have had a great run over the past 15 years in leadership positions at the local, state and federal levels of government, but it is de nitely time to re- turn to the private sector. I will be making a  nal decision in the coming weeks. such as banking and auto manufacturing, so there are few valid argumentswhy it cannot turn its attention to the maritime industry. February 2014 16 MNMN FEB14 Layout 1-17.indd 16MN FEB14 Layout 1-17.indd 161/20/2014 3:36:38 PM1/20/2014 3:36:38 PM