Congressman Alan Lowenthal and Congresswomen Nanette Barragán, representing the districts for the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, are co-sponsoring the Clean Shipping Act, which will set carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships, including eliminating carbon by 2040, and requirements to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2030.
The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressmen Lowenthal, explaining that the bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to:
- Set carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships. The bill sets progressively tighter carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships consistent with a 1.5° Celsius decarbonization pathway. These standards would require lifecycle carbon dioxide-equivalent reductions of 20 percent from January 1, 2027, 45 percent from January 1, 2030, 80 percent from January 1, 2035, and 100 percent from January 1, 2040, relative to the 2024 emissions baseline. The EPA will retain regulatory discretion to ensure the continued success of the ocean freight system through this transition, while achieving maximum carbon reductions.
- Set requirements to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2030. By January 1, 2030, all ships at-berth or at-anchor in U.S. ports would emit zero GHG emissions and zero air pollutant emissions.
Since my earliest days of public service on the Long Beach City Council three decades ago, I have worked to clean up the maritime industry. This legislation continues this effort
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
In addition, Congresswoman Barragán, noted that “the Clean Shipping Act of 2022 is bold legislation that will make the United States a global climate leader in addressing pollution from the shipping industry and protect the health of port communities in Los Angeles and around the country.”
We must face the fact that we are at a tipping point in the climate crisis; we must move beyond fossil fuels, and that includes air, land and sea transportation sources. No emissions sources can go overlooked
Congressman Lowenthal, stated, continuing that the “legislation will set clear standards and drive the investment and innovation needed to transition to a zero-carbon future. It will clean up our ports once and for all, with a straightforward nationwide policy.”
EXPLORE MORE AT US CONGRESS’S BILL
