Chairman Rockefeller’s Remarks on Climate Services: Solutions from Commerce to Communities
Our climate shapes every aspect of our lives. It determines where we build our roads and homes. It affects our health and it controls the amount of energy we need. Over one-third of our nation’s Gross Domestic Product is affected by weather and climate. Climate change is happening—the scientists agree—we have observed rising temperatures […]
Chairman Rockefeller Calls for Further Investigation into Seafood Inspection Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV) sent a letter to the Acting Comptroller General of the United States calling for further investigation of government seafood inspection practices. This follows concern that there is fragmentation occurring among the federal agencies that have […]
Chairman Rockefeller Applauds President Obama’s Efforts To Improve The Blue Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Chairman, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, applauded President Obama’s signing of a memorandum today on the National Policy for Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes. “The United States is on the cusp of creating a wave of new ‘blue’ jobs through ocean energy […]
Chairman Rockefeller’s Opening Remarks for Blue Economy Hearing
Our oceans and coasts are sources of great economic and environmental wealth for the nation. Nearly 80 percent of U.S. import and export freight is transported through seaports. Our 3.4 million square mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the largest in the world, covers an area greater than the entire United States. The Blue Economy – […]
Ride The Wave To Ocean Week On Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and its Chairman, John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, celebrates World Oceans Day and Capitol Hill Ocean Week beginning Monday, June 8th and running through Friday, June 12th, 2009. The goal of this year’s Ocean Week is to highlight the critical importance of improving […]
Oceans Policy Scores Victory with Passage of S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ocean conservation and research scored a major victory today with the passage of S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The act includes five bills, originally introduced in the 110th Congress under the leadership of Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), that increase our knowledge of oceans and […]
Oceans Subcommittee to Explore Impact of Impending Regulatory Changes on Maine’s Groundfish Industry at Field Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This field hearing will address the impacts of impending changes to the regulatory structure of the New England Multispecies (groundfish) Fishery on Maine’s fishing industry. The hearing will focus on three major topics: 1) the development of and need for the proposed changes; 2) the state of the science that informs New […]
Senate Passes National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008. The Sea Grant program addresses the ocean, coastal and Great Lakes issues of today while helping to develop the next generation of American ocean researchers and policymakers. The Senate companion bill, S. 3160, was originally introduced […]
Senate Passes Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate today passed S. 1582, the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008, which reauthorizes the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act (HSIA). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s hydrographic services are vital to maritime commerce and to assist in the protection of our environment. S. 1582 was introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman […]
Commerce Committee Cancels Hearing to Examine Marine Protected Areas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces that the Full Committee hearing on Marine Protected Areas: Federal and State Efforts to Conserve, Manage, and Restore Marine Resources has been cancelled. The hearing will not be rescheduled during the current session. ###