80 FR 37729 - Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program Forum

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 126 (July 1, 2015)

The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in cooperation with the Maryland Environmental Resource Center, will hold an open forum to solicit individual input to MARAD on the Agency's Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program and key environmental issues facing maritime transportation. Input received will enable the Agency to assess the effectiveness and utility of the Program thus far, and will inform MARAD and Department of Transportation decision making regarding possible future research, development and demonstration projects.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 37729]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16180]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number MARAD-2015-0086]


Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program 
Forum

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD), in cooperation with the 
Maryland Environmental Resource Center, will hold an open forum to 
solicit individual input to MARAD on the Agency's Maritime 
Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program and key 
environmental issues facing maritime transportation. Input received 
will enable the Agency to assess the effectiveness and utility of the 
Program thus far, and will inform MARAD and Department of 
Transportation decision making regarding possible future research, 
development and demonstration projects.

DATES: The forum will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, from 9:00 
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT.

ADDRESSES: The event will be held at the Conference Center of the 
Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS), 692 
Maritime Blvd., Linthicum Heights, Maryland 21090 (Telephone 866-656-
5568). The facility has overnight accommodations. For those interested 
in reserving MITAGS accommodations please feel free to call 410-859-
5700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact Daniel Yuska, Office 
of Environment, U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 
Telephone (202) 366-0714. You may send electronic mail to 
[email protected].
    For access to the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any 
time or to Room W12-140 of the Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. To view the 
docket electronically, type the docket number ``MARAD-2015-0086'' in 
the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``Search.'' Click and Open Docket Folder 
on the line associated with this forum.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The META program seeks to foster 
collaborative efforts among Federal agencies, academia, industry and 
the public to address critical marine transportation environmental 
issues. Among the areas of current focus are aquatic invasive species, 
ballast water and underwater hull growth, port and vessel air 
emissions, and alternative fuels and energy technologies. Through META, 
MARAD supports research, development and demonstration of innovative 
technologies for practical applications to balance freight, passenger 
and environmental concerns with sustainable solutions. This support 
includes financial support for research and development activities, and 
fostering the exchange of information and best practices.
    MARAD is holding this forum to provide information on the META 
concept, gather public input on identifying the key environmental 
issues on which the META program should focus its activities, and on 
how MARAD might best structure the program for the future. Specific 
topics of discussion will include how MARAD might be able to better 
focus requests for proposals, and how to address various levels of 
technology readiness.
    During the forum, MARAD representatives will explain the META 
program and discuss current areas of focus and projects, followed by 
small group discussions. Minutes will be kept of the discussion and 
posted by MARAD.
    MARAD will release further details on this public forum, including 
times and agenda, on its Web page at http://marad.dot.gov and on the 
DOT docket as they become available.

Privacy Act Statement

    All input received at the forum will be recorded and attributable 
to the individual commenter and where appropriate on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc. This information will be 
placed on the DOT public docket. You may review DOT's complete Privacy 
Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 
FR 19476, 04/11/2011) or at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.

    Authority: 49 CFR 1.93.
* * * * *

    Dated: June 25, 2015.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-16180 Filed 6-30-15; 8:45 am]
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