US EPA VGP 3.0 in the pipeline

The VGP is a USA Clean Water Act, NPDES permit that authorizes discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels greater than 79 feet in length. The 2013 Vessel General Permit replaced the 2008 Vessel General Permit, incorporating new requirements for a submission of an electronically annual report. Now, a third edition of the VGP is under discussion with a view to replace the current version of the VGP which came into force in 2013 and is due to expire on 18th of December.

Specifically, the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) informed that it interfaces with US EPA regarding the expected publication of the 3rd VGP. As explained, once a draft version of VGP is available, it will be open for comments.

In its latest newsletter, CSA clarified that one ‘possible outcome may be that the EPA will extend the current VGP for a period of time to allow for sufficient implementation time between issuance of the new final permit and its entry into force date.’

We suspect additional delays in publication are due to the current posture of the Trump Administration relative to regulatory reform and its impact on promulgation of new requirements impacting the industry. CSA will advise soonest on new developments. CSA stated.

The 194-page current edition of VGP  addresses reporting requirements for the discharges from vessels. Explore more by reading related article here