Press Releases

Hearing to Examine Federal Radionavigation Plan, the Foreign Spill Protection Act, and the National Icebreaker Fund Act

Washington, DC, July 24, 2015 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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The Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), will hold a hearing next week on several issues, including the Federal Radionavigation Plan, the Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2015, and the National Icebreaker Fund Act of 2015.

The Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP) is the federal government’s primary policy and planning document for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems and data.  PNT systems are integral to U.S. national security, the safe operation and reliability of critical infrastructure, and economic prosperity. 

H.R. 1684, the Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2015, would amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Clean Water Act to address oil spill liability issues for foreign offshore units and prohibit oil discharges for foreign offshore units.

The National Icebreaker Fund Act is draft legislation, not yet introduced, that would provide an alternative funding process for alteration or renovation of Coast Guard icebreakers or the lease or charter of private icebreakers for the Coast Guard to reduce the potential for future mission gaps.

The Subcommittee hearing, entitled, “Federal Radionavigation Plan, H.R. 1684, the Foreign Spill Protection Act of 2015, and H.R. ----, the National Icebreaker Fund Act of 2015,” is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building.

Witness List:

  • Mr. Gary C. Rasicot, Director of Marine Transportation Systems, United States Coast Guard
  • Ms. Mary E. Landry, Director of Incident Management and Preparedness, United States Coast Guard
  • Ms. Karen Van Dyke, Director of Positioning, Navigation and Timing & Spectrum Management, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Mr. Martin Faga, Former CEO, MITRE Corporation, Former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force; accompanied by Mr. Charles A. Schue, President and CEO, UrsaNav
  • More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and link to live webcast, will be posted here as it becomes available. 

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