GLIN==> Clearing the Smoke on Ship Emission Standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2009

Clearing the Smoke on Ship Emission Standards

 

(Buffalo, NY & Columbus, OH) - 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 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 www.glu.org:

 

New <http://www.glu.org/sites/default/files/emissions_overview_final.pdf>
Exhaust Emission Standards for Commercial Vessels Poised to Protect Health
Great <http://www.glu.org/sites/default/files/emissions_myths_final.pdf>
Lakes Shipping and the EPA Exhaust Emissions Rule: Myths vs. Facts

 

For More Information:

 

Jennifer Nalbone
Campaign Director, Invasive Species and Navigation
Great Lakes United
(716) 213-0408
jen at glu.org

 

David R. Celebrezze
Director of Air & Water 
Ohio Environmental Council
(614) 487-7506
david at theoec.org

 

 

____________________________________

Brent Gibson

Director, Communications

Great Lakes United

(613) 867-9861

 <mailto:bgibson at glu.org> bgibson at glu.org |  <http://www.glu.org/>
www.glu.org

 

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