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Managing America: Environment and Resources

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Week Ending March 30, 2006

H.R.802 To amend the Act to Prevent Pollution from ships to implement MARPOL Annex VI.

Large maritime vessels will be less polluting if this bill is enacted. The bill looks towards 1997 treaty created at the MARPOL Convention to prevent air pollution from ships that capped sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts as well as ozone-depleting substances. The US delayed for a time, its involvement in the treaty. The Senate signed on in April 2006 and it went into effect in May 2006.

The US Coast Guard patrols US waters for domestic and foreign ships violating the standards. The Coast Guard inspects to see if ports provide adequate access to trash receptacles. Violations can be criminal or civil. This bill requires the Coast Guard to prescribe regulations to implement vessel air emission standards applying to marine diesel engines rated above 175 horsepower purchased or modified after January 1, 2000. A 1999 voluntary certification program initiated the effort towards compliant engines. Standards for nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide emissions along with volatile organic compounds and quality standards for vessel fuel oil now apply.

All vessels operating in territorial seas, emission control areas and other designated areas are required to comply with vessel air emission regulations from the Coast Guard and the EPA. The Coast Guard and EPA are to prescribe regulations and it is prohibited that standards regarding emission of volatile organic compounds go into effect until six months after the International Maritime Organization has been notified of the standards.

It is only the EPA that can certify on behalf of the US that an engine is air pollution adequate. Vessels greater than 400 tons must be certified and certification of US vessels by other MARPOL nations will be accepted.

The Coast Guard is authorized to inspect any vessel for compliance and can deny entry of a vessel that is not certified. The EPA must assess civil penalties fro non-compliance.

Sponsor:  Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-MN-8^th)

Vote: Passed House 359 to 48 March 26, 2007 (RC 187)

Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 802 would cost about $4 million over the next five years, subject to the availability of appropriated funds.”

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this bill.

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