Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced that they helped secure a $1,500,000 grant from the Department of Transportation for the Seattle-Bainbridge Island Ferry Service to convert one of its two ferries from diesel to hybrid electric drive. The grant, provided through the America’s Marine Highway Grant Program, will enable one of the two ferries to reduce its emissions by 95%.
“I’m proud that the federal government is stepping up to reduce the carbon footprint of one of the most heavily used routes in the Washington State Ferry system,” said Rep. Kilmer. “Our region is continuing to lead the way in reducing carbon emissions and growing green jobs. Federal investments to make this route - and our public transportation system in general - more green and more clean are winners for our planet and our economy.”
“Reducing carbon emissions in Washington State is an enormous and urgent task that requires investment and cooperation from the federal government. I could not be more proud of our region and our state for its leadership in making our ferries more sustainable—this federal investment will support and strengthen our commitment to a more green and clean transportation system in Washington,” Rep. Jayapal said.
According to the Washington State Ferries (WSF), the Bainbridge-Seattle route is the system’s most used – with nearly 6.4 million riders utilizing the route in 2018.
WSF has been working with the Department of Commerce and Maritime Blue in its ongoing effort to develop strategies for Washington’s maritime sector to become a global leader in innovation and sustainability. Since 2012, WSF has been exploring the feasibility of converting vessels to hybrid-electric propulsion and has identified vessel conversion as a Maritime Blue demonstration project that could potentially attract support from the private sector.
Senators Murray, Cantwell Slam FDA E-Cigarette Policy Riddled With Loopholes for Kid-Appealing Flavors
Press release issued 1/ 14/ 20
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn criticizing the FDA’s decision to break the Trump Administration’s promise to clear all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarette products from the market by announcing a weak policy that includes huge exceptions regarding menthol-flavored products and any flavored e-liquids that are not in a cartridge.
“As the newly confirmed FDA Commissioner, you have the opportunity – and the obligation – to take meaningful action to address the ongoing youth vaping crisis. FDA’s recently announced compliance policy fails to prioritize children, families, and the public health ahead of industry objections. We strongly urge you to abandon this policy and instead implement the proposal President Trump and his Administration promised in September,” wrote the Senators.
As youth e-cigarette use has skyrocketed in Washington state and across the country, Senator Murray has been a leader in pushing the Trump Administration for its failures to take strong action to address the crisis, and opposed Commissioner Hahn’s nomination because of his unwillingness to commit to strong tobacco policies. She has also pressed the Administration regarding the epidemic of vaping-related illnesses. Senator Cantwell has also pushed the Trump administration to address the crisis, writing a letter to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission calling for them to enforce the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015 and cosponsoring legislation to restrict all flavored e-cigarette products that could be appealing to children.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES (pt1):
Climate crisis ‘affecting quality of life and fuelling discontent’
The climate crisis, as well as persistently high inequalities, and rising levels of food insecurity and undernourishment, is affecting the quality of life in many societies and fuelling discontent, the UN warned on Thursday, on the publication of the 2020 World Economic Situation Report (WESP).---UN NEWS.
Syrian conflict has ‘erased’ children’s dreams: new UN report
Nearly nine years of conflict in Syria have robbed boys and girls of their childhood and subjected them to “unabated violations of their rights”, including being killed, maimed, displaced, forced to fight or subjected to torture, rape and sexual slavery.
2019 second hottest year on record, UN confirms
Last year was the second warmest year on record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) confirmed on Wednesday.
Implementing peace deal only path for stabilization in Mali: UN peacekeeping chief.
implementation of the 2015 peace agreement in Mali provides the only pathway for stabilization there, the head of UN peacekeeping told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Sudan: Lives of traumatized, displaced women in West Darfur under threat.
Ongoing instability in Sudan’s West Darfur region has left the lives, health and safety of thousands of women hanging in the balance, according to the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA.
Philippines volcano: UN stands ready with support, as thousands told to flee.
The UN is concerned over warnings issued by Philippines’ authorities that volcanic eruptions on the country’s most populous island could last “days, months or even years”.
UN aviation experts to join Ukraine Airlines Iran crash investigation
Experts from the UN aviation watchdog, ICAO, will support the investigation into the crash of a Ukrainian Passenger plane in Iran on January 8, following an invitation from the Iranian authorities, which was accepted on Tuesday.
Tom Petty - Free Fallin' (Official Music Video)
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