CG Announces CTAC Meeting

The Coast Guard published a notice in this Monday’s Federal Register (77 FR 70453-70454; available on-line today) that the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (click through the HomePort link for more information) would be holding a 2-day meeting on December 12^th in Washington, DC. The Committee will address issues related to the maritime transportation of bulk-hazardous chemicals. This Committee was re-established last year after having been idle since their 2008 meeting.

Agenda

The Committee will receive presentations from the Coast Guard on:

• Hazardous Substances Response Plans;

• Vapor control systems and mobile vapor control systems;

• Classification of Biofuels and Biofuel blends;

• Shipments and use as fuel of Liquefied Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas;

• Air emissions;

• Tank Barge best practices;

• Certification of 3rd party witnesses for the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships prewash;

• Material Safety Data Sheets requirement for oils carried as cargo and fuel;

• Pending International Maritime Organization issues;

• Security, Transportations Worker Identification Credential, etc;

• USCG Centers of Excellence; and

• Food grade product safety.

In addition the Committee will establish their initial prioritization of issues and establish the agenda and meeting schedules for Subcommittees and Working Groups to address the topics listed above.

It is possible (but not real likely) that there might be additional information provided on the TWIC Reader Rule recently submitted to the OMB.

Public Comments

The Coast Guard is soliciting public comments on the agenda topics listed above. Written comments and requests to make oral comments at the meeting need to be submitted by November 29^th. Written comments can be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal (www.Regulations.gov; Docket # USCG-2012-1030). Personnel wishing to make oral comments (limited to 3 minutes each) before the Committee should contact Lieutenant Sean Peterson, ADFO (ph – 202-372-1403; fax – 202-372-1926).