Contrary to numerous studies showing economic and consumer detriment of fuel with more than 10 percent ethanol, EPA approved a plan submitted by the ethanol industry to address residual fuel that may be left in gas pumps that offer both E15, or gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol, and other fuels. That step "knocks down the lone, significant regulatory hurdle standing in the way of getting E15 into the marketplace," trade groups Growth Energy and Renewable Fuels Association said.

The U.S military is no stranger to alternative energy. Lead by the Department of Defense’s aggressive energy plan, the country’s armed forces have been experimenting with ways to incorporate alternative energies, such as solar and hydrogen fuel cells, for some time. Biofuels, in particular, have been getting a great deal of attention from the Navy, Army, and Air Force recently, each launching their own projects to examine the capabilities of the fuel. The U.S. Coast Guard has also taken a keen interest in biofuels, using them to power the ship Henry Blake on its maiden voyage.

Eric Schwaab has reassumed the title of Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Fisheries.  As a general rule, the Vacancies Reform Act limits a person to serving 210 days in an acting capacity for a Senate-confirmed Presidential appointee beginning on the date the vacancy occurs. However, Eric will continue to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Management. 

 John Bryson has resigned as commerce secretary, telling President Obama in a letter that the seizure he suffered recently "could be a distraction" to the president's focus on rebuilding the U.S. economy.

The Commerce Department announced the appointment of 30 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA’s Fisheries Service to manage ocean fish stocks. To view appointments for all 8 councils please click read more...

The National Maritime Center (NMC) has initiated a yearlong project to refresh our website with more tools and information regarding all aspects of the Mariner Credentialing Program. As we work through this project, we have and will continue to make changes to many of the individual page addresses. Therefore, if you have bookmarked individual pages you may get „page not found‟ errors. Please go to the home page (www.uscg.mil/nmc) and reconnect to the page you are looking for by using the links, search engine, or sitemap.

Should you have any questions related to this, or any other aspect of the NMC‟s website, you can use the webmaster link on the website, email our Customer Service Center at IASKNMC@uscg.mil, or call 888-IASKNMC (888-427-5662).

NACO is pleased to announce that 2nd Vice President, Capt. Tom Becker has been appointed to the Department of Homeland Security/United Sates Coast Guard Navigational Safety Advisory Council.  Please see the attached notification letter to Tom from DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.  Part of our mission is to ensure that you are represented on Panels such as this so we can continue to provide your voice on regulatory issues to ease the burdens placed on our industry. 

The Department of Commerce invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on a proposed NEW information collection regarding recreational anglers. 

Written comments must be submitted on or before August 20, 2012.

LDWF officials want to remind the public that state regulations are now applicable out to three marine leagues or 10.357 miles based on recent action by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.   

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is extending the date by which public comments are due oncerning proposed regulations to revise existing regulations governing the confidentiality of information submitted in compliance with any requirement or regulation under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act or MSA). NMFS published the proposed rule on May 23, 2012 and announced that the public comment period would end on June 22, 2012. With this notice, NMFS is extending the comment period to August 21, 2012.