Bill Directs EPA to Cut Air Pollution at Nation's Ports

WASHINGTON (May 24, 2007) – Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced the Marine Vessel Emissions Reduction Act of 2007 today in the U.S. Senate. The bill closes a regulatory loophole by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the significant pollution emitted by ocean-going vessels at America’s ports.

 

Richard Kassel, director of the Clean Fuels and Vehicles Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), issued the following statement regarding the legislation:

 

“While cargo ships deliver many things Americans want, nobody needs to breathe their toxic soot. As international trade continues to grow, this pollution problem will get worse unless government takes action now. This bill sends a strong message to industry: it’s time to clean up.

 

“We congratulate Senators Boxer and Feinstein for their lead co-sponsorship on this important legislation and look forward to working with them towards its swift passage in the Senate. We also look forward to working with Representative Hilda Solis and her colleagues, including Representatives Jane Harman (D.-Calif.) and Lois Capps (D-Calif.), to pass an identical bill in the House of Representatives.”