Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32JULY 2016 • FOGHORN 13 FOGHORNFOCUS: ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ment. These are, in fact, market pushes. This represents the core business for many PVA members. Their livelihood depends on a clean, rewarding experi- ence for their passengers.” Duncan, who has written and spoken on environmental issues as they relate to the maritime community, went on to say, “We may argue the COP21 is not binding. Here is the rub: the U.S. Senate has already ratified the UN Framework on Climate Change of 1992. This ratification may, as it turns out, be more restrictive than COP 21.” In fact, just last month, the U.S. hosted a conference in San Francisco on global clean energy, with goals based on the COP21 agreement. Energy leaders from 23 nations and the European Union, who represent 90 percent of clean energy invest- ment and 75 percent of global carbon emissions, to take action to help implement policies and solutions to meet their countries’ climate and clean energy goals. Essentially, there were two goals: accelerating the deployment of today’s clean energy technologies, and investing in innovation for future technology. As energy consumers, vessel operators who are forward thinking and striving for a low-carbon operation through the use of clean energy, there are numerous options to aid the tran- sition away from fossil fuels such as marine diesel fuel. The White House announced in June that U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is publishing a draft rule to improve and permanently extend its Early Stage Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program, focused on strengthening financing options for private funds that invest in clean energy technology companies and other early-stage, innovation-driv- en small businesses. In addition, in 2015, the Maritime Administration announced federal grants for alternative energy projects, including liquid nitrogen gas (LNG) and hydrogen fuel cells. Last year, PVA Vessel member and PVA Green WATERS Program participant Red & White Fleet, San Francisco, CA, received $500,000 to study the viability of a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry. Furthermore, the U.S. Coast Guard’s mission includes protecting the marine environment and therefore is vigilant regarding all environmental laws and regulations that affect America’s waterways. What Vessel Operators Can Do Now Navigating the rapidly changing environmental rules and regulations is becoming increasingly challenging for vessel operators. PVA has been on the forefront of many environmen- tal issues, such as the Vessel General Permit, and is always striving to work on behalf of the membership. But, there’s even more assistance available to PVA members. The PVA Green WATERS Program offers best green business practices to guide owners/operators towards a cleaner, green marine operation. Participating vessels, the PVAGreen CERTIFIED CERTIFIED GREEN ● Performance that rivals Synthetics = Results ● High Oxidation resistance = Long life ● Longer drain intervals = Less down time ● Extreme temp range = Extreme dependability ● 100% US Made & Owned = Pride ● USDA BioSourced = Sustainable & Hydraulic Fluid ● Stern Tube Lube ● Chain & Cable Wire Rope ● EP Greases ● Hoist Oil ● Motor Oils AMERIgreen is proud to be an exclusive Distributor of AMERIgreen Energy, Inc ● 1650 Manheim Pike, Suite 201 ● Lancaster, PA 17601 www.amerigreen.com/lubricants ● 888-423-8357 Contact Chris Hall for info & pricing at 717-278-4244 or chall@amerigreen.com As used by US Coast Guard, NOAA, NASA, and South Ferry, Inc