Search

Contents Introduction Background Definitions of the Arctic Arctic Circle Definition Definition in Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984 Other Definitions Population of the Arctic Eight Arctic States, Including [...]

Contents Introduction Columbia River System Lower Snake River Dams Navigation Supported by the Lower Snake River Dams Water Provided by Lower Snake River Dams for Irrigation and Municipal Use Hydropower [...]

Updated October 11, 2023 Contents Introduction Background Definitions of the Arctic Arctic Circle Definition Definition in Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984 Other Definitions Population of the Arctic [...]

September 12, 2023 Introduction The Biden Administration's goal of having 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power generation installed by 2030 will require construction of at least 2,100 wind turbines, according [...]

August 29, 2023 Contents Introduction Infrastructure What Is Infrastructure? What Is the Purpose of Codes, Standards, and Regulations for Infrastructure? What Types of Infrastructure Are Discussed in This FAQ? Do [...]

May 25, 2023 Introduction The 118th Congress is debating whether to further restrict foreigners from working in the U.S. offshore energy sector (i.e., oil, gas, and wind). The offshore wind [...]

The article discusses the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, caused by a container ship collision, detailing the ownership of the ship, its operational details, and the subsequent impacts on port traffic and recovery efforts. It also examines the role of harbor pilots, the debate overshipping channets, and the logistical challenges posed by the closure of a major shipping channel, emphasizing the economic repercussions for the Port of Baltimore and surrounding areas.

Updated March 24, 2022 Contents Introduction Background Definitions of the Arctic Arctic Circle Definition Definition in Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984 Other Definitions Population of the Arctic [...]

Contents Introduction Background Definitions of Arctic Arctic Circle Definition Definition in Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984 Other Definitions Population of Arctic Eight Arctic States, Including Five Arctic [...]

February 9, 2021 Trucking accounts for nearly a quarter of the total greenhouse gases emitted by the transportation sector in the United States. As Congress takes up reauthorization of federal [...]

September 10, 2020 As Congress deliberates on authorization legislation for Army Corps of Engineers water resource projects (House-passed H.R. 7575, Senate-reported S. 3591), it is considering how to direct the [...]

Updated July 28, 2020 Contents Introduction Characteristics of LNG Safety Hazards of LNG Flammable Vapor Clouds Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosions Other LNG Safety Hazards Environmental Risks Security Risks Federal [...]

July 7, 2020 The federal government improves and maintains a system of 12,000 miles of inland and intracoastal waterways with over 200 lock and dam chambers. This system facilitates the [...]

March 16, 2020 The cruise ship industry has been heavily impacted by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Major cruise lines have canceled trips from U.S. ports over the next month. In [...]

Updated November 26, 2019 In 2001, in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 'homeland security' went from being a concept discussed among a relatively small cadre of [...]

The article presents a report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service on Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system. Topics discussed include how Congress has authorized significant spending to support the system, including infrastructure improvements and maintenance. The report gives an update on recent seaway traffic trends and investments, highlighting the importance of steel plants and iron ore shipping while noting the overall downward trend in U.S. shipping volumes.

Updated September 4, 2018 Contents Introduction Rail Safety and PTC Signal Systems Rail-Related Fatalities Train Incidents and PTC Legislation The Basics of PTC Implementation Overseas Experience Cost and Benefits Safety [...]

May 4, 2018 As U.S. natural gas production sets new records, trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG) has risen sharply. Since 2016, when the first plant in the lower 48 [...]

Updated January 30, 2017 Summary The United States, Canada, and Mexico in many ways comprise one large, integrated market for energy commodities. Canada, for example, is the single largest foreign [...]

Updated December 20, 2016 Contents Summary of DHS Appropriations Security, Enforcement, and Investigations Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Summary of Appropriations Select Issues in CBP Appropriations Border Enforcement Personnel Unaccompanied [...]

Updated October 26, 2016 Contents Introduction Background The Great Lakes Navigation System The St. Lawrence Seaway Motivations for Building the Seaway Seaway Traffic Great Lakes Traffic Is Dependent on the [...]

Updated February 22, 2016 Contents Background Export Restrictions Repeal Savings Clause Exceptions Potential Crude Oil Export Volumes National Defense Sealift Enhancement Enhanced Section 199 Tax Deduction for Independent Refiners Motivation [...]

The article focuses on the challenges faced by the U.S. commercial shipbuilding industry, particularly in comparison to China's dominant position in global shipbuilding. Topics include the national security implications of the U.S. industry's global uncompetitiveness, the historical context of U.S. shipbuilding market share decline and policy considerations for Congress to address the issues, including federal support programs and the impact of worldwide overcapacity in the shipbuilding sector.

Updated June 2, 2015 Contents Major Legislative Actions March 4-11, 2014--President's FY2015 Budget Request Submitted June 11, 2014--House Appropriations Committee Approves H.R. 4903 June 26, 2014--Senate Appropriations Committee Approves S. [...]

Updated May 19, 2015 Contents What Is Homeland Security? Homeland Security: Missions and Strategy The Budget and Security DHS Appropriations Homeland Security and the U.S. Intelligence Community Selected IC Issues [...]

Updated December 4, 2014 Contents Introduction Why Is Oil Moving by Rail? The Economics of Oil by Rail The Role of Barges and Ships in Domestic Crude Transportation The Jones [...]

The article presents a background of transportation security in the U.S. and its issues for the 117th Congress. Other topics include the vulnerability of the U.S.' air, marine, and land transportation systems to terrorist attacks, as well as how Congress can implement and fund a system to deter, protect, and respond against said attacks without interfering with commerce, travel and civil liberties.

The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. The seven other Arctic states are Canada, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark (by virtue of Greenland), and Russia. The Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984 (Title I of P.L. 98-373 of July 31, 1984) "provide[s] for a comprehensive national policy dealing with national research needs and objectives in the Arctic." The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the lead federal agency for implementing Arctic research policy. Key U.S. policy documents relating to the Arctic include National Security Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security Presidential Directive 25 (NSPD 66/HSPD 25) of January 9, 2009; the National Strategy for the Arctic Region of May 10, 2013; the January 30, 2014, implementation plan for the 2013 national strategy; and Executive Order 13689 of January 21, 2015, on enhancing coordination of national efforts in the Arctic. On July 29, 2020, the Trump Administration announced that career diplomat James (Jim) DeHart would be the U.S. coordinator for the Arctic region. The Arctic Council, created in 1996, is the leading international forum for addressing issues relating to the Arctic. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets forth a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world's oceans, including the Arctic Ocean. The United States is not a party to UNCLOS. Record low extents of Arctic sea ice over the past decade have focused scientific and policy attention on links to global climate change and projected ice-free seasons in the Arctic within decades. These changes have potential consequences for weather in the United States, access to mineral and biological resources in the Arctic, the economies and cultures of peoples in the region, and national security. The geopolitical environment for the Arctic has been substantially affected by the renewal of great power competition. Although there continues to be significant international cooperation on Arctic issues, the Arctic is increasingly viewed as an arena for geopolitical competition among the United States, Russia, and China. Russia in recent years has enhanced its military presence and operations in the Arctic, and the United States, Canada, and the Nordic countries have responded with their own increased presence and operations. China's growing diplomatic, economic, and scientific activities in the Arctic have become a matter of increasing curiosity or concern among the Arctic states and other observers. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Coast Guard are devoting increased attention to the Arctic in their planning and operations. Whether DOD and the Coast Guard are devoting sufficient resources to the Arctic and taking sufficient actions for defending U.S. interests in the region has emerged as a topic of congressional oversight. The Coast Guard has two operational polar icebreakers and has received funding for the procurement of the first of at least three planned new polar icebreakers. The diminishment of Arctic ice could lead in coming years to increased commercial shipping on two trans-Arctic sea routes--the Northern Sea Route close to Russia, and the Northwest Passage close to Alaska and through the Canadian archipelago--though the rate of increase in the use of these routes might not be as great as sometimes anticipated in press accounts. International guidelines for ships operating in Arctic waters have been recently updated. Changes to the Arctic brought about by warming temperatures will likely allow more exploration for oil, gas, and minerals. Warming that causes permafrost to melt could pose challenges to onshore exploration activities. Increased oil and gas exploration and tourism (cruise ships) in the Arctic increase the risk of pollution in the region. Cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters will be more difficult than in other areas, primarily because effective strategies for cleaning up oil spills in ice-covered waters have yet to be developed. Large commercial fisheries exist in the Arctic. The United States is working with other countries regarding the management of Arctic fish stocks. Changes in the Arctic could affect threatened and endangered species, and could result in migration of fish stocks to new waters. Under the Endangered Species Act, the polar bear was listed as threatened on May 15, 2008. Arctic climate change is also expected to affect the economies, health, and cultures of Arctic indigenous peoples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has described freight transportation planning as "convoluted" and "de-centralized." It mentions public planning processes of state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and public values improvements to passenger travel more highly than improvement of freight movements. It also mentions surface transportation, aviation, and maritime programs are authorized in separate laws.

The article provides a background on specific Arctic-related issues for the U.S. Congress. Topics include diminishment of Arctic sea ice; the impact of issues such as commercial shipping through the Arctic, oil, gas, and mineral exploration, and endangered Arctic species on international cooperation, tension, or competition; and the impact of United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea on Arctic area.

The article provides an overview of the selected U.S. Homeland Security issues in the 116th Congress. Topics discussed include national strategy for counterterrorism; National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reauthorization and reform; and its efforts in addressing drug trafficking at the Southwest Border. It also informs on its cybersecurity initiative.

The article offers insight to the legislative and regulatory background of shipping under the U.S. Jones Act. Topics discussed include debates surrounding shipbuilding costs; administrative waivers in the interest of national defense; and the inclusion of Jones Act under the Merchant Marine Act of 1920.

June 1, 2010 Summary NAFTA set forth a schedule for implementing its trucking provisions that would have opened the border states to cross-border trucking competition in 1995 and all of [...]

Title II contains the appropriations for the U.S.-Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator (US-VISIT) program (20), the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement […]

President's FY2008 Budget Submitted. The President's budget request for DHS for FY2008 was submitted to Congress on February 5, 2007. The Administration requested $46.4 billion in gross budget authority for […]

Federal-Wide Homeland Security Funding Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been an increasing interest in the levels of funding available for homeland security efforts. The Office […]

H.R. 2206--U.S. Troop Readiness, Veteran's Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 Following the failure of the House to override the President's veto of H.R. 1591, the House […]

Title IV includes appropriations for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office […]

Title III includes appropriations for the Preparedness Directorate and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Preparedness Directorate includes (among others) appropriations accounts for the Undersecretary for Preparedness, State and […]