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Monday 21 December 2009AAPA letter to Congress highlights role of ports in job creation
In a recent letter to Senate and House leadership regarding a possible jobs bill being considered by Congress, American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) Chief Executive Officer Kurt Nagle outlined several key federal programmes and tax incentives related to seaports that will create jobs, enhance sustainability, and provide long-term economic growth and prosperity for the nation.
"By providing additional funds for port-related and freight transportation infrastructure, we can modernize maritime transportation and provide jobs for both today and tomorrow," wrote Mr Nagle. "Seaports can also help achieve our national goal of creating jobs through programmes that enhance the environment by decreasing diesel emissions and improving energy efficiency in maritime operations, and by protecting our nation's homeland by bolstering port security."
Among the port-related programs Mr Nagle pointed to that will create jobs and transportation savings include the US Army Corps of Engineers' work to maintain and improve America's federal navigation channels; the Department of Transportation's policies and projects to move freight more efficiently; the Environmental Protection Agency's and Department of Energy's commitment to "green" projects and policies that reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's grants to enhance port facility security.
In addition, he pointed to a number of tax incentives that would further enhance goods movement and lower prices to make American products more internationally competitive, including: eliminating the portion of the Harbor Maintenance Tax levied on transporting domestic cargo between ports; elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax on government-issued private equity bonds to promote infrastructure development at ports; and passage of pending and new free trade agreements that would stimulate US exports and jobs.
"By investing in America's freight transportation system and developing policies that facilitate US exports, we can create jobs and achieve modern, navigable seaports that are safe and environmentally sustainable," said Mr Nagle.
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