b'Annual Convention at MariTrends 2023 insustainable fuels and technologies, and (2) in- It is likely that the concepts of this Blueprint Long Beach, Calif.). centivize U.S. commercial vessel operators towillbefirstincorporatedinfederalgrant move towards lower GHG emissions. It givesprogramsavailabletothemaritimesector TheBlueprintacknowledgesthatthebestno details of specific programs to accomplish(EPAsDieselEmissionsReductionAct pathway for decarbonizing the maritime sec- these two objectives. grants; ferry capital grants provided by the tor is unclear, given the variety of possibleFederal Transit Administration and Federal fuels, technologies, or policies that could beIt remains to be seen if, how, or when the fed- Highway Administration).developed. It notes that the long service lifeeral government will translate this perfunctory of vessels30 years or moremakes a rapid(three pages out of a document of 80 pages)Here is a link to view the entire National Blue-turnover of the fleet (to vessels with fewer emis- discussionofmaritimedecarbonizationintoprint.Thediscussiononmaritimevessels sions) difficult. specific programs, funding, or regulation. begins at page 68.The Blueprint says that priority actions for the maritime sector are (1) research and innovation; (2) engagement with international and domestic stakeholders; and (3) infrastructure improvements, along with improved design and planning. Toachievedecarbonizationofthemaritime sector by the year 2050 will require innovative practices, targeted regulations (although there is no further elaboration), and a commitment to innovation and deployment of emerging tech-nologies. One such technology could be bat-tery electrification options for smaller vessels (presumably vessels in domestic service).TheBlueprintsaysthatpriorityactions for the maritime sector are (1) research and innovation, including sustainable liquid and gaseous fuels, electric vessels, and energy ef-ficiencyandhybridization;(2)engagement with international and domestic stakehold-ers;and(3)infrastructureimprovements, alongwithimproveddesignandplanning. TheBlueprintassertsthatresourcesare neededforactivitiesincludingcleanvessel upgrades, retrofits, or conversions .With regard to the domestic maritime sector, the Blueprint says that the U.S. must (1) per-formmoreresearchanddevelopmentinto 29 MARCH 2023'