SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) is developing a voluntary agreement necessary to renew the Voluntary Tanker Agreement Program, pursuant to the authority contained in Section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA), as amended. Regulations governing Voluntary Tanker Agreements (VTAs) appear at 44 CFR part 332. The proposed agreement will revise and replace the VTA that was published in Volume 73 of the Federal Register at page 51692 (Sept. 4, 2008).

Because the proposed VTA will contain changes, both former and new participants must submit a new application once the final text is published. VTA applications are available from MARAD by contacting the persons listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above. The complete draft text of the proposed agreement was published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2019, 84 FR 58824-58829. Copies of the draft text are also available to the public upon request.

II. Agenda

The agenda will include: (1) Welcome, opening remarks, and introductions; (2) brief remarks by the Associate Administrator for Strategic Sealift or Director, Office of Sealift Support; (3) administrative items; (4) review of public docket comments; (5) oral participation from the public; and (6) closing remarks.

III. Public Participation

The meeting will be open to the public.

Public Comments: The public comment period at the meeting will commence at approximately 1:30 p.m. on August 18, 2020. To provide time for as many people to speak as possible, speaking time for each individual will be limited to five minutes. Speakers will be placed on the agenda in the order in which the notifications are received. If time allows, additional speakers will be permitted. Persons wishing to speak during public meeting should refer to the DATES section, above.

Written comments: Written comments should be submitted via email by August 14, 2020. See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above. Also, MARAD is extending the period for the submission of written comments established in its Federal Register notice of November 1, 2019 (84 FR 58824) from December 2, 2019 to August 14, 2020. Comments submitted after the August 14, 2020 will be accepted as is practical. Written comments submitted after the meeting may be submitted as follows:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://regulations.gov. Search MARAD-2019-0183 and follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail: The Docket Management Facility is in the West Building, Ground Floor of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Docket Management Facility address is: U.S. ( printed page 45298) Department of Transportation, MARAD-2019-0183, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. Facility hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays.

Services for Individuals with Disabilities: The U.S. Department of Transportation is committed to providing equal access to this teleconference for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, such as sign language, interpretation, or other ancillary aids, please contact Rhonda Davis at rhonda.davis@dot.gov.

(Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4558, 49 CFR 1.93(l), 44 CFR 332)

85 FR 45297