06.22.05

Cantwell Fights for Coast Guard Resources in Washington State

Thursday Commerce Committee on Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2005; Quick Approval Expected U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell Top Democrat on Coast Guard Subcommittee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the top Democrat on the Senate's Coast Guard Subcommittee, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2005 , which includes several provisions important to the economic, environmental, and maritime security of Washington state's coastal waters.

"The Coast Guard's presence is crucial to providing maritime security, marine safety, and search and rescue in the Puget Sound," said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. "The North west economy depends on the health of our waters and the services the Coast Guard provides in protecting them, whether they be through fisheries enforcement or responding to oil spills."

"I am grateful to the men and women of the Coast Guard for their dedication and hard work," Cantwell continued. "This bill will help the Coast Guard get resources that will help them better serve the public and meet the growing demands of the future."

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2005 authorizes the Coast Guard at $8,206,232,000 for fiscal year 2006 and $8,862,730,560 for fiscal year 2007, representing an increase in each year of approximately 8 percent over the previous year.

This Thursday, the full Commerce Committee will consider the legislation at 10:00 a.m. ET in the Russell Senate Building, Room 253.

WASHINGTON STATE PRIORITIES

Vessel Traffic System: Included in the legislation is an authorization of $10 million to complete an upgrade of the Puget Sound Vessel Traffic System (VTS). The efficiency upgrade will overhaul the current system with new technology, improving communication and maritime safety. VTS Puget Sound manages over 200,000 vessel trips every year, and assists in 150 Search and Rescue operations, from Bellingham south to Olympia, and as far west as the Strait of Juan de Fuca. VTS Puget Sound and VTS San Francisco are the only two Coast Guard traffic systems – out of nine nationwide – yet to receive this upgrade.

Icebreakers: The bill authorizes $47.5 million for the operation and maintenance of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet, which is based and maintained in Seattle , employing about 300 area residents. It also requires the Coast Guard to develop a long-term plan for maintaining and upgrading the fleet of icebreakers, opposing the Administration's proposal to move budget authority for the icebreakers to the National Science Foundation. That proposal would have created funding uncertainty that could lead to the termination of the icebreaker program, jeopardizing Washington state jobs.

Seattle's Pier 36: The legislation authorizes $3 million to complete repairs and upgrades on a Coast Guard administration building at Pier 36 in Seattle , which was badly damaged by an earthquake four years ago. This building is the main command center for Coast Guard activities in Puget Sound, including its Vessel Traffic System.

Oil spill safety: The bill requires that all large, non-tank vessels, operating within 12 miles of U.S. coasts, prepare oil spill emergency response plans. (Large, tank vessels are already required to do this.) As evident by unfortunate oil spills in the past, such as the recent Dalco Passage spill, every second matters. Requiring all large vessels operating in coastal waters to have an emergency response plan will help prevent oil spill disasters and, in the event of a spill, reduce the harmful effects through preparedness.

Biodiesel boost: The bill requires a report on the feasibility and cost savings potential of using biodiesel fuel in Coast Guard vehicles and vessels, with a focus on ports with high-traffic density, including the Port of Seattle. Expanding the biofuel market would not only have a favorable environmental impact, but could also spur Washington state's fledging biodiesel industry and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

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