As the U.S. Congress intervenes to weaken a new rule proposed by the EPA to regulate exhaust emissions from ships in the Great Lakes and ocean ports, Great Lakes United and the Ohio Environmental Council have released two factsheets to better explain the rule and clear up misconceptions.
The first factsheet provides an overview of the standard, while the second counters dire claims being made by the Great Lakes shipping industry in an effort to exempt them from the rule.
The first factsheet provides an overview of the standard, while the second counters dire claims being made by the Great Lakes shipping industry in an effort to exempt them from the rule.
The new standard is an effort to clean up the dirty exhaust emissions ships release. Most commercial vessels are equipped with engines that consume some of the dirtiest fuel on the planet- producing higher levels of sulphur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter when burned. The emissions affect the health of those living near ports and coastlines, and can travel far inland. Children, people with heart disease, and the elderly are most at risk when they breathe this polluted air.
EPA estimates that when the new standard is fully in place it will prevent up to 32,000 premature deaths each year, with over 500 of those in the Great Lakes region.
As the proposed rule approaches finalization, Wisconsin Representative David Obey, with the support of Minnesota Representative James Oberstar, struck a deal with the EPA to exempt 13 steamships from meeting the new exhaust emission rules and allow 13 additional C3 Lakers to petition for a waiver if they demonstrate serious economic hardship. The exemption is in the form of an amendment attached to the Natural Resources spending bill that covers the EPA budget for the fiscal year that began on October 1st.
This is a disappointing turn of events, and appears to be a lost opportunity to improve air quality, protect human health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Great Lakes region.
Download the Factsheets from GLU's website.
For More Information:
Jennifer Nalbone
Campaign Director, Invasive Species and Navigation
Great Lakes United
(716) 213-0408
[email protected]
David R. Celebrezze
Director of Air & Water
Ohio Environmental Council
(614) 487-7506
[email protected]
EPA estimates that when the new standard is fully in place it will prevent up to 32,000 premature deaths each year, with over 500 of those in the Great Lakes region.
As the proposed rule approaches finalization, Wisconsin Representative David Obey, with the support of Minnesota Representative James Oberstar, struck a deal with the EPA to exempt 13 steamships from meeting the new exhaust emission rules and allow 13 additional C3 Lakers to petition for a waiver if they demonstrate serious economic hardship. The exemption is in the form of an amendment attached to the Natural Resources spending bill that covers the EPA budget for the fiscal year that began on October 1st.
This is a disappointing turn of events, and appears to be a lost opportunity to improve air quality, protect human health, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Great Lakes region.
Download the Factsheets from GLU's website.
New Exhaust Emission Standards for Commercial Vessels Poised to Protect Health
Great Lakes Shipping and the EPA Exhaust Emissions Rule: Myths vs. FactsFor More Information:
Jennifer Nalbone
Campaign Director, Invasive Species and Navigation
Great Lakes United
(716) 213-0408
[email protected]
David R. Celebrezze
Director of Air & Water
Ohio Environmental Council
(614) 487-7506
[email protected]
great stuff
Posted by: exhaust | December 01, 2009 at 12:51 PM