FMC forms environment committee

FMC forms environment committee    Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky Jr. on Wednesday announced formation of an internal Maritime Environmental Advisory Committee to identify and support the creation of green jobs in the maritime industry.
   The agency said formation of the committee is “consistent with the administration’s goals of creating green jobs and seeking a more sustainable approach to maritime issues, and demonstrates the commission’s commitment to a new, proactive relationship with the country’s ports.”
   Lidinsky said the new committee would work closely with the commission to identify current or proposed environmental initiatives by the ports and the shipping industry.
   “We want to provide a clearinghouse for ports, terminal operators and other shipping interests to review agreements and other operational initiatives, and to discuss how commercial efforts can be enhanced by adopting certain environmental and energy efficiency standards consistent with the shipping acts and regulations administered by the commission,” he said.

FMC Chairman Richard A. Lidinsky Jr. rides in a semi during a tour of the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday.

   Lidinsky made the announcement of the new committee during a tour of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
   In September 2008, the FMC had commenced an investigation into the clean truck programs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and filed a lawsuit to challenge parts of the agreement, including concession requirements that mandated exclusive use of employee-drivers in the Port of Los Angeles. On July 29 the FMC filed a motion to dismiss the suit.
   Lidinsky said in taking the tour, “I wanted to recognize these ports’ leadership in demonstrating that the maritime industry can remain commercially competitive while acting in a manner consistent with the country’s commitment to energy independence and environmental standards.”
   The Maritime Environmental Advisory Committee will be led by Mark K. Dowd, counsel to Lidinsky.