A policy paper released by Pacific Environment revealed that there is a vast amount of scientific research and studies showing that exhaust gas control devices (ECGS), also known as scrubbers, are harmful to the marine environment, wildlife and human health.
aNew scientific studies show that emissions from scrubbers are highly toxic to marine life even at very low concentrations, with the potential to severely impact populations of key species in the marine food chain. Pacific Environment has compiled 26 recent studies that provide a breadth and depth of new and important data to make the case for why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must ban scrubber emissions.
The Biden Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must address growing environmental threats and mitigate health risks by banning scrubber discharges in U.S. waters as they finalize pending regulations under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA). VIDA requires the EPA to develop national performance standards for accidental discharges. The EPA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in October 2020, but the rules have yet to be finalized.
Significant environmental impacts
- The use of scrubbers on ships burning heavy fuel oil (HFO) leads to even greater marine pollution and air emissions than using HFO without scrubbers, due to the additional energy demand and intensive marine pollution.
- Additionally, scrubber emissions are yet to be fully characterized and understood with respect to the marine and environmental impacts of PAH derivatives and compounds produced downstream, so the testing regime is further limited in that we do not understand the impacts of these compounds.
A wealth of data has been made public since the EPA first considered scrubber regulations in 2020. This new information documenting harm to the marine environment and wildlife calls for immediate action. More than 90 jurisdictions around the world have enacted bans or restrictions on emissions from scrubbers, and the U.S. should follow suit.
…” said Kay Brown, Arctic policy director at Pacific Environment.
In its Aug. 11, 2020 regulatory summary on emissions from exhaust gas control systems, the EPA concluded that “there are insufficient data at this time to support a prohibition on these discharges under the Clean Water Act. An IMO technical committee is currently reviewing the need for additional assessment of the environmental impacts of EGCS emissions, and EPA will continue to monitor the availability of compiled studies related to these discussions.”
“A tremendous amount of data has been made public since EPA considered regulating scrubbers in 2020, and this new information demonstrates the harms and justifies and compels action now. Moreover, the IMO has effectively ceded the opportunity to regulate scrubbers in the near term to countries, regions, and local governments.”
background
In September 2023, the Pacific Environment and Marine Conservation Society, working with allies, submitted a letter to the Biden administration with 45 signatories. The letter included seven specific recommendations, including calling for a phase-out and ban on the use of sulfur scrubbers on ships in U.S. waters. In June 2024, the Society added 23 signatories, including industry groups and non-governmental organizations, bringing the total number of signatories to 68.
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