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This section features recently issued reports, background documents and other items of a regulatory nature that address issues of interest to TIACA members. It will be updated as events warrant.
The views and/or positions expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the views and/or postions of TIACA.
12-10-09
GAO Addresses Aviation Screening, Maritime Scanning
11-13-09
Needed Actions on NextGen
In this testimony to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Aviation, the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation identifies actions needed now for the advancement of NextGen goals, including: establishment of a five-year funding profile; better metrics for measuring progress and benefits; and a strategy for linking NextGen and other transformational efforts such as ADS-B. Click for full report.
This testimony, provided to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Aviation, outlines the challenges for NextGen implementation. Presented by the Government Accountability Office, the testimony highlights challenges relating to resource and environmental issues, FAA culture and business practice, and equipping aircraft with new technologies. Click here for full report.
10-05-09
GAO Calls for Lifecycle Assessment of Biofuels
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report analyzing the impact of increased biofuels production on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the environment, and agriculture. The report recommends that EPA assess the lifecycle impact of increased biofuels production, and calls for a coordinated approach by EPA and the departments of Agriculture and Energy. For the full report, click here.
7-24-09
DHS Reports on Implementation of 9/11 Commission Recommendations
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a report on its implementation of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. With respect to air cargo security, the report says TSA currently screens 100% of the cargo on over 95% of U.S.-origin flights, and that it is “on track to meet the congressionally-mandated 100% screening requirement for all domestic flights by August 2010.” For the full report, click here.
6-25-09
GAO Addresses Safety of Small All Cargo Carriers
Legislation moving through Congress could hold some significant benefits for TIACA members, particularly in easing the deadline for 100% screening of air cargo on passenger flights departing from foreign airports. More...
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report surveying existing research and concluding that aircraft greenhouse gas emissions are likely to grow in the future. However, most experts predict various technological and other advances will help reduce future emissions. For the full text of the report, click here.
A report by the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identifies shortcomings in the Known Shipper Program, the mechanism used by DHS to seek to ensure that all cargo flown on passenger planes comes from a known source. The report concludes that DHS falls short of that goal, and identifies problems with each method allowed by the Transportation Security Administration to determine whether a shipper is known. The report also warns that the shortcomings in TSA’s approach may allow any shipper, including terrorist or criminals, to obtain known shipper status and therefore to ship cargo on passenger flights. For the full report, click here.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report assessing TSA’s progress in meeting the air cargo screening standards of the 9/11 Act in conjunction with testimony presented at a March 18 U.S. Congressional hearing (at which TIACA also testified). The report concludes that, while TSA has taken several key actions, “TSA and industry stakeholders may face a number of challenges…including attracting participants to the CCSP, and technology, oversight, and inbound cargo challenges.” For the full text of the report, click here.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the results of its 2008 Year in Review for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. Among its key accomplishments for the year, CBP cites attainment of key member certification and validation requirements, joint validations conducted in China, and the signing of two mutual recognition arrangements. For more information, click here.
In response to frequent queries about the benefits of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has developed a brochure. Among other things, CBP says “C-TPAT importers are 4 to 6 times less likely to incur a security or compliance examination” than are non-C-TPAT participants. For the full brochure, click here.
Over the next six years, airports in the United States will be equipped with radiation detection equipment intended to scan virtually all air cargo, courtesy of an initiative by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For more information, click here.
11-13-2008
Report: Voluntary FAA Program Successful in Reducing Airport Emissions
A new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concludes that the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) program, an FAA program with nine current airport participants, has reduced total air emissions at participating airports. VALE allows airports to use money set aside under the federal Airport Improvement Program for projects targeted to reduce air emissions. Funding for VALE projects increased from $400,000 in fiscal year 2005 to $20 million in fiscal year 2008. For the full GAO report, click here.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued the CBP Trade Strategy, detailing how it intends to balance trade and security interests. CBP is housed within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, together with fellow DHS agency the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is responsible for implementing many of the U.S. regulations governing international aviation shipments. In conjunction with other agencies, CBP requires advance electronic data on shipments, assesses the data using risk management techniques, and determines whether shipments may enter U.S. commerce. CBP’s Trade Strategy presents a five-year plan with the following goals: facilitation of legitimate trade while ensuring compliance; enforcement of trade laws and accurate collection of revenues; advancement of national and economic security; and modernization of CBP’s trade processes. For the full report, click here.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued the 2009-2013 FAA Flight Plan outlining a five-year strategic plan for improving safety and increasing capacity. The plan calls for a shift from an anecdotal approach to safety to one based on data analysis, and sets targets for reducing fatalities, runway incursions, fatal accidents and other safety failures. It also aims to improve reliability and on-time performance and reduce the environmental impacts of capacity improvements. In addition, the plan addresses the development of the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Click here for the full text of the strategic plan.
A new report, written by the majority staffs of the House Committees on Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs, concludes the Bush Administration has failed to implement many of the requirements of H.R.1, the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007. On the subject of screening air cargo aboard passenger aircraft, the report classifies the Bush Administration response as one of “missed opportunities” and states, “failure to meet the first deadline of 50% screening of air cargo by February 3, 2009 would be unacceptable.”Click here to view full report.