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INSIGHTS and promote the positive story of our industry’s value to Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) 2014. the nation with policymakers and the public. For 26 years, AWO is working closely with Waterways Council, Inc. to that’s the mission that’s gotten me out of bed in the morn- make sure that Congress improves upon this unacceptable ing and made it a real pleasure to come to work every day. situation. Speci? cally, we are seeking to make full use of the

Inland Waterways Trust Fund match by providing $390 mil-

What is the number one item on the agenda of AWO lion for navigation construction projects; funding for opera- today?

tion and maintenance at least at the FY 2016 level of $3.1

It all starts with the Jones Act, which is the statutory foun- billion; and at least $10 million for the Corps’ Investigations dation for the tens of thousands of good, family wage jobs account for pre-construction engineering and design work that AWO members provide to Americans throughout the for the Navigation Ecosystem Sustainability Program. country and the basis for billions of dollars of investment by AWO member companies. Nothing is more important

Subchapter M – something AWO has pushed for and advocated – got some pushback at a recent industry than ensuring continuing strong, bipartisan support for the event. Some stakeholders felt that there should’ve

Jones Act from every quarter of the U.S. government.

been a supplemental or secondary comment period

Where do you see the biggest threats to the Jones before going to ? nal rule. What are your thoughts on that premise?

Act today?

It is absolutely time to get Subchapter M published. My

The biggest threats to the Jones Act today come from two oldest son was born the week AWO’s Board of Directors sources. First is a small group of ideologically driven oppo- nents who are looking for opportunities to tie the Jones Act voted to support the Coast Guard in seeking the statutory to other issues under consideration by Congress, like the authority to establish a towing vessel inspection regime,

Puerto Rico aid package. Heritage Action actually made the and now he’s almost a teenager, as tall as I am and in need ludicrous claim that nothing would be more bene? cial in of a shave! But seriously, our industry is ready for Subchap- promoting economic growth in Puerto Rico than waiving ter M. We’ve spent more than a decade working with the

Coast Guard to develop and prepare for implementation the Jones Act, when in fact the opposite is true: eliminat- of the rule, and it’s time to get it published so we can all ing the Jones Act would destroy exactly the kind of well- paying jobs for Puerto Ricans that the island needs more of, reap the bene? ts of an improved regulatory ? oor. There and threaten to disrupt the most reliable and cost-effective has been extensive and arguably unprecedented Coast shipping that any island in the Caribbean enjoys. Second is Guard-industry consultation throughout the develop- ment of this rule. And, it’s worth noting that there will be the oil re? ners’ lobby, the American Fuel and Petrochemi- cal Manufacturers Association, whose members would like a generous phase-in period, which means that if the Coast to increase their pro? ts by using ? ag-of-convenience vessels Guard, despite its best efforts, really got something impor- tant wrong, there will be time to go back to the agency and instead of U.S. vessels to move cargo between U.S. ports.

advocate for suspension or reconsideration of the problem- atic provision. There is plenty of precedent for that.

The President’s proposed FY 17 budget cuts deeply into USACE funding and for that of port infrastructure.

Are you concerned about this? Should membership be? How much input and guidance into the formulation of what is developing into the ? nal Subchapter M rule

The President’s budget proposal was a terrible disappoint- did AWO have with the Coast Guard and stakeholders?

ment. Funding the Corps of Engineers’ navigation mission at

Subchapter M is the most important Coast Guard rule- the levels proposed by the Administration would amount to an enormous step backward from the promise of the Water making ever to affect our industry and we have taken it

Image: AWO

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