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Secretary Napolitano Issues Temporary, Blanket Jones Act Waiver
U. S. Department of Homeland Security / http://www.dhs.gov/news/2012/11/02/secretary-napolitano-issues-tempor ary-blanket-jones-act-waiver
WASHINGTON— As a result of impacts caused by Hurricane Sandy, today Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano issued a temporary, blanket waiver of the Jones Act to immediately allow additional oil tankers coming from the Gulf of Mexico to enter Northeastern ports, to provide additional fuel resources to the region.
“The Administration's highest priority is ensuring the health and safety of those impacted by Hurricane Sandy and this waiver will remove a potential obstacle to bringing additional fuel to the storm damaged region,” said Secretary Napolitano.
Secretary Napolitano's action immediately allows additional ships, that would otherwise be barred, to begin shipping petroleum products from the Gulf of Mexico to Northeastern ports, increasing the access to fuel in the storm damaged region. The waiver is operative through November 13th.
The Administration is continuing to monitor the situation and is prepared to take additional actions as necessary to ensure that the energy needs of the region affected by Hurricane Sandy are met.
For more information, visit: www.dhs.gov
Hurricane Sandy: CBP Operating Status
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / www.cbp.gov
Due to Hurricane Sandy, CBP operations were impacted.
The following General Avaiation Facilities in the New York City region have been impacted:
Teterboro Airport – one of two are operational
Morristown Airport – not operational
The following airports are open and operational:
Baltimore
Dulles
JFK
Laguardia
Lehigh Valley
Newark
Philadelphia
General Aviation Facilities: Stewart International, Westchester Airport, Signature (EWR) Airport
The following seaport/waterways have been impacted:
New York/Newark – Waterways and CBP facilities are open with restrictions. Damage assessments are ongoing.
Southern New England (Coast Guard Sector) – Waterway closed.
The following seaport/waterways are open and operational:
Northern New England
Portsmouth, NH
Portland, ME
Boston, MA
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Norfolk
Conley Terminal
To contact a specific port, please visit the ports contacts website. ( Locate a Port of Entry: Air, Land or Sea )
CPSC Urges Consumers to Change Batteries in Alarms This Weekend When Changing Clocks for Daylight Saving Time
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission / www.cpsc.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is encouraging consumers to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms this weekend.
"When changing clocks this weekend for Daylight Saving Time, remember to change the batteries in smoke and CO alarms," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Fresh batteries in alarms are essential to keeping your alarm working and on guard to protect you and your family."
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 4, 2012.
About two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that don't work. CPSC also recommends that consumers test t heir alarms once each month and place smoke alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom.
Fire departments responded to more than 366,700 residential fires nationwide that resulted in more than 2,300 deaths, more than 12,500 injuries, and $7.09 billion in property losses annually, on average, from 2008 through 2010.
CO alarms are equally important and should be installed on each level of the home and outside sleeping areas. CO alarms should not be installed in attics or basements unless they include a sleeping area. Combination smoke and CO alarms are available.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that consumers cannot see or smell. There was an average of 183 unintentional, non-fire CO poisoning deaths each year from 2006 to 2008. To protect against CO poisoning, schedule an annual professional inspection of all fuel-burning appliances, including furnaces and chimneys. Keep portable generators outside, far from the home when they are being used .
Statement by FMCS Director George H. Cohen on Bombardier Learjet and IAMAW Local 639 Labor Talks
Federal Coliation and Mediation Service / www.fcms.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Director George H. Cohen issued the following statement today regarding the current work stoppage involving Bombardier Learjet and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local 639 in Wichita, Kansas:
“In response to a request by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Bombardier Learjet and IAMAW Local 639 have agreed to return to negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement under the auspices of FMCS mediators.”
“Because of the sensitivity of these negotiations, in keeping with our past custom and practice, and the agreement between the parties, the FMCS and the parties will refrain from any public comment until further notice.”
Click here or a PDF version of the FMCS statement.
Woman Arrested by CBP at the Hidalgo International Bridge With Liquid Methamphetamine
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / www.cbp.gov
Hidalgo, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a woman with over $100,000 of alleged liquid methamphetamine.
The seizure occurred on October 31, at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge when a 20-year-old female United States citizen arr ived at the pedestrian walkway. The adult female, from Michoacan, Mexico presented her State of California birth certificate to the CBP officer, displayed nervous behavior and was referred to secondary for further document review and inspection. In secondary, officers discovered in her luggage, six bottles of different toiletry items which contained a total of 6.83 pounds of alleged liquid methamphetamine. CBP seized the narcotics which have an estimated street value of $103,000.
The adult female traveler was released to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations agents for further investigation.
“We are encountering these types of smuggling attempts more often and it reinforces the fact that smugglers are getting more innovative in their tactics,” said Efrain Solis Jr., Port Director, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas. “Our officers have intercepted these illicit drugs and kept them from getting to the streets of our communities.”
International Travel Resumes in New York and New Jersey
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / www.cbp.gov
CBP is prepared to resume all seaport inspection operations
New York — In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy’s devastating assault on New York and New Jersey, CBP's New York Field Office is processing hundreds of international flights scheduled to arrive today at JFK and Newark International Airport.
“Two days after the super storm shut down trade and travel, CBP personnel are back on duty, exhibiting their individual resiliency and doing their part in the region’s recovery,” said Robert E. Perez, CBP’s Lead Field Coordinator for CBP in FEMA Region II. “By processing thousands of international travelers and preparing for the seaports to open, CBP personnel are re-establishing the region’s vital connection to the global economy.”
CBP personnel are on site today processing 170 expected international flights with approximately 35,000 passengers at JFK, and 99 expected international flights with approximately 15,000 passengers at Newark International Airport.
CBP will begin processing cargo and cruise ships as soon as the U.S. Coast Guard lifts waterway restrictions, and marine terminals are deemed safe and operational.
As always, CBP urges residents in the impacted area to continue to follow FEMA and their state Emergency Management Agencies for continuing safety and recovery messages, and disaster assistance. ( FEMA )
Members of the trade community should continue to monitor www.CBP.gov for updates on port operations and on CBP’s efforts to minimize disruptions.
Airline and cruise ship passengers are encouraged to check their carrier’s website or travel agents for more information.
Please visit CBP’s website for continuing updates of CBP response and business resumption efforts following Hurricane Sandy. ( www.cbp.gov )
U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $12 million in Quick Release Emergency Relief Funds for Hurricane Sandy Damage in New Jersey and Connecticut
U.S. Department of Transportation / www.dot.gov
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced he is making $12 million in quick release emergency relief funds immediately available to New Jersey and Connecticut to help begin repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, while assessments continue throughout the Northeast to determine the full extent of the damage. Today's announcement follows President Obama’s call for federal agencies to act quickly and bring all avail able resources to bear as quickly as possible. It also builds on the disaster assistance efforts President Obama approved in the last several days, including major disaster declarations, which make federal assistance - like these emergency relief funds - available to supplement state and local response and recovery efforts.
The funds - $10 million for New Jersey and $2 million for Connecticut - mark another installment of federal-aid highway funds going toward repairing damage from Hurricane Sandy. Earlier this week, DOT approved $17 million in quick release emergency relief funds - $10 million for New York; $3 million for Rhode Island; and $4 million for North Carolina.
“President Obama made it clear that we need to do all we can to help communities get their transportation systems up and running and we are doing that,” said Secretary LaHood. “These emergency relief funds represent only the start of our commitment to the region’s recovery.”
Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are used for a variety of repairs to roads, bridges and tunnels that are immediately necessary. New Jersey will use the funding to help maintain essential traffic flow and repair sections of highway necessary to prevent further damage; Connecticut will use it for general emergency repairs to federal aid highways.
“New Jersey and Connecticut can count on our full support as their transportation systems resume service,” Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. “Mobility is the first step toward recovery, and we will work with officials in both states to ensure that happens as quickly as possible.”
FHWA's emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. Restoring critical infrastructure is essential to enabling first responders and relief workers to access impacted communities and to quickly restoring services to impacted residents.
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