Image (C) Architect of the Capitol
Today is World Ocean Day and, maybe sending a sign that legislators in lots of elements of the world can’t watch for IMO to behave, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42), and Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) have now launched the Clean Shipping Act of 2023. Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) is a co-lead.
According to its sponsors, “the Clean Shipping Act of 2023 would set a path to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from all ocean shipping companies that do business with the United States. The bill aims to clean up the shipping industry, protect the health of port communities, address environmental injustice, and provide solutions to the climate crisis by giving the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate carbon intensity standards for maritime fuel. Technological pathways exist to make this possible.”
Essentially, the laws seeks to amend the Clean Air Act by requiring the Administrator of the EPA to ascertain requirements to restrict the carbon depth of the gas utilized by ships.
In half it reads:
The Administrator shall, by regulation, require every vessel on a coated voyage to adjust to requirements for the carbon depth of the gas utilized by such vessel in order that such carbon in-tensity is—
A) in every of calendar years 2027 by 2029, at the very least 20 p.c lower than the carbon depth baseline;
B) in every of calendar years 2030 by 2034, at the very least 45 p.c lower than the carbon depth baseline;
C) in every of calendar years 2035 by 2039, at the very least 80 p.c lower than the carbon depth baseline; and
D) in calendar yr 2040 and every calendar yr thereafter, 100% lower than the carbon depth baseline.
Zero carbon by 2040 is after all far more bold than something within the works at IMO and the International Chamber of Shipping’s aim of reaching internet zero by 2050.
You can learn the total textual content of the invoice HERE.
“The Clean Shipping Act of 2023 is a strong, necessary step that will make our maritime ports greener and address ongoing challenges contributing to the global climate crisis,” stated Congressman Garcia. “Not only does this bill drastically decrease shipping emissions in the United States, but it brings long-awaited justice to our port-adjacent communities that have suffered the consequences of port pollution for far too long.”
“This World Ocean Day, I am proud to introduce legislation that improves our shipping industry by reducing emissions in maritime transportation and simultaneously protecting coastal communities,” stated Senator Padilla. “California’s port communities have been forced to shoulder the brunt of shipping pollution for too long. The health of our communities and the health of our planet requires us forward thinking and ambitious—we owe it to future generations.”
“We commend Congressmembers Garcia, Barragán, and Padilla for leading the effort to reintroduce the Clean Shipping Act to help protect U.S. port communities from toxic pollution. Momentum for shipping decarbonization continues to grow around the world and here in the U.S. with eight out of 10 registered voters wanting to see Congress pass laws that will make the shipping industry cleaner. Mandatory, technology-forcing policies like this bill will send a clear signal to industry that zero-emissions shipping must replace fossil fuels. Now is the time for the U.S. to be a global climate leader, and we urge Congress to pass this important legislation,” stated Antonio Santos, Federal Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment.
