Yesterday, freshman Alaska Senator Mark Begich (D) called for ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty and introduced a package of seven bills addressing a variety of Arctic policy issues.  The energy and shipping related measures in the package include:
 
Arctic OCS Revenue Sharing Act (S. 1560) - gives Alaska natives the same 37.5% share of royalties from offshore oil and gas production in federal waters that Gulf of Mexico states currently receive.  This is similar to the measure introduced by senior Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) last week.
Arctic Climate Change Adaptation Act (S. 1566) - provides funding for Alaskans to adapt to the impacts of climate change, including clean energy development.
Arctic Ambassador Act (S. 1563) - creates a new U.S. Ambassador to the Arctic Council.
Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment Implementation Act (S. 1564) - provides funding to replace the U.S. icebreaker fleet and build new forward operating Coast Guard air bases, as well as other measures to ensure safe and reliable maritime transportation in the Arctic region.
Arctic Oil Spill Research and Recovery Act (S. 1561) - calls for more research to improve oil spill prevention and response in the Arctic.
Arctic Science, Coordination and Integration Act (S. 1562) - requires a new study to create a comprehensive strategy to coordinate Arctic research and make recommendations to Congress. 
 
The bills are available through Thomas.  You can view Sen. Begich's press release here.

On July 8, 2009, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved  the Maritime Administration Authorization Act of 2010, which among other things, would create a grant program for "America's Marine Highways" as an extension of the surface transportation system. The provision, authored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), would encourage more freight to be carried by barges and ships by sea and by inland waterway in an effort to reduce roadway congestion. The bill would also establish a Port Infrastructure Development Program for local jurisdictions and port facilities to improve the capabilities of their port facilities. Senator Lautenberg's press release can be found here. Additional commentary can be found in the New Jersey Politicker blog.  

On July 1, the EPA released a pre-publication rule that would reduce emissions from diesel engines on oceangoing vessels by banning the production and sale of marine fuel oil above 1,000 ppm sulfur, as well as introducing new NOx standards for Category 3 marine diesel engines.  Once the proposal is published in the Federal Register (expected before July 24), there will be 30 days to comment.  

Noting the environmental impacts of climate change and industrial activity in sensitive areas, 67 House Democrats transmitted a letter to President Obama yesterday urging a "science-based" approach to management of the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).  They contend that "[t]he most notable and immediate ... threat is from the aggressive and risky expansion of oil and gas activities in the region from the last eight years."  The letter outlines four specific proposals: create an interagency task force to craft comprehensive Arctic energy policy; pass new legislation to protect ANWR; conduct a new assessment of Arctic ecosystems; and suspend new offshore leasing, E&P, shipping, commercial fishing, and mining.  The letter was authored by Reps. Inslee (WA), Markey (MA) and McCollum (MN), and key signees include Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (CA), Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick Rahall (WV), and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (CA).