The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, may conduct research on short sea transportation, regarding-
(1) the environmental and transportation benefits to be derived from short sea transportation alternatives for other forms of transportation;
(2) technology, vessel design, and other improvements that would reduce emissions, increase fuel economy, and lower costs of short sea transportation and increase the efficiency of intermodal transfers; and
(3) solutions to impediments to short sea transportation projects designated under section 55601.
(Added
Section effective 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of