Photo: Sundeip AroraThe Environmental Protection Agency has proposed rigorous clean air standards for large US-flagged ships. The proposal would cut pollution from US-flagged tankers, container ships and other large vessels that are big emitters.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) considers the U.S. application for a protective Emission Control Area that would slash pollution from both U.S. and foreign-flagged ships. The IMO meets between 13-17 in July in London, where it will begin evaluating the US application for protective clean air standards.
"Ships are floating smokestacks that deliver soot and smog straight to the heart of our most crowded coastal cities, home to 87 million Americans, so we are very pleased with this most recent action," said Elena Craft, Environmental Defense Fund air quality specialist.
"Here in Houston for example, we urgently need improved clean air standards to protect the kids and families hard hit by pollution delivered by more than 8,000 vessels visiting our port every year."
In March, the US applied to designate US coastal waters as "Emission Control Areas" (ECAs) under international law. An ECA would provide the strongest clean air standards available under international law. It would dramatically improve clean air standards for all ocean-going ships in the exclusive economic zone of the US, an area that typically extends about 200 nautical miles from the coast.
The container ships, tankers and other large sea-going vessels that dock at more than 100 US port cities burn low grade "residual fuel" or "bunker fuel" that is a major source of air pollution. Ocean-going ships are also responsible for about 3 percent of the world's total greenhouse gas pollution.
EPA analysis indicates that protective clean air standards that apply to all ships operating within the exclusive economic zone of the US would annually save as many as 14,000 lives, prevent 4,800 hospital admissions, and prevent 4.9 million acute respiratory symptoms. Government officials estimate that foreign-flagged vessels make up 90 per cent of the ship calls on US ports.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO) considers the U.S. application for a protective Emission Control Area that would slash pollution from both U.S. and foreign-flagged ships. The IMO meets between 13-17 in July in London, where it will begin evaluating the US application for protective clean air standards.
"Ships are floating smokestacks that deliver soot and smog straight to the heart of our most crowded coastal cities, home to 87 million Americans, so we are very pleased with this most recent action," said Elena Craft, Environmental Defense Fund air quality specialist.
"Here in Houston for example, we urgently need improved clean air standards to protect the kids and families hard hit by pollution delivered by more than 8,000 vessels visiting our port every year."
In March, the US applied to designate US coastal waters as "Emission Control Areas" (ECAs) under international law. An ECA would provide the strongest clean air standards available under international law. It would dramatically improve clean air standards for all ocean-going ships in the exclusive economic zone of the US, an area that typically extends about 200 nautical miles from the coast.
The container ships, tankers and other large sea-going vessels that dock at more than 100 US port cities burn low grade "residual fuel" or "bunker fuel" that is a major source of air pollution. Ocean-going ships are also responsible for about 3 percent of the world's total greenhouse gas pollution.
EPA analysis indicates that protective clean air standards that apply to all ships operating within the exclusive economic zone of the US would annually save as many as 14,000 lives, prevent 4,800 hospital admissions, and prevent 4.9 million acute respiratory symptoms. Government officials estimate that foreign-flagged vessels make up 90 per cent of the ship calls on US ports.
No comments:
Post a Comment