The Pacific Environmental Policy Paper urges the United States to ban scrubbers, citing evidence that they harm the marine environment, wildlife and human health.
A policy paper released by Pacific Environment last week found that there is a wealth of scientific studies and research showing that Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (ECGS), commonly known as scrubbers, are harmful to the marine environment, wildlife and human health.
According to Pacific Environment, recent scientific studies have shown that scrubber emissions are extremely toxic to marine life even at very low concentrations, and scrubber emissions can 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 emissions from scrubbers.
“As the Biden Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalize pending regulations under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), they should address growing environmental threats and mitigate health risks by banning scrubber discharges in U.S. waters,” Pacific Environment said.
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 not yet been finalized.
“Act Now”
Kay Brown, Arctic Policy Director at Pacific Environment, said: “A huge amount of data has been made public since EPA first considered scrubber regulations in 2020. This new information documenting harm to the marine environment and wildlife requires immediate action. More than 90 jurisdictions around the world have enacted scrubber discharge bans and restrictions, and the U.S. should follow suit. We call on EPA and President Biden to end the use of scrubbers now.”
In its Aug. 11, 2020 regulatory summary on emissions from exhaust gas cleaning systems, the EPA concluded that “there are currently insufficient data to support a prohibition on these emissions under the Clean Water Act. An IMO technical committee is currently reconsidering 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.”
“Substantial data has been made public since EPA considered regulating scrubbers in 2020, and this new information establishes harm and justifies and compels action now. Moreover, IMO has effectively ceded the opportunity to regulate scrubbers in the near term to national, regional and local governments,” Pacific Environment added.
Read the full paper here: “Ships Polluting: From Air to Ocean. The Science on Polluting Scrubbers and Why EPA Should Ban Scrubber Emissions.”
background
In September 2023, Pacific Environment and marine conservation groups, in conjunction with Pacific Environment's allies, submitted a 45-signatory letter to the Biden administration that 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, Pacific Environment added 23 signatories, including industry groups and non-governmental organizations, bringing the total number of signatories to 68.
About Pacific Environment
Headquartered in San Francisco, Pacific Environment is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment, wildlife and communities of the Pacific Rim. Founded in 1987, our organization focuses on combating climate change, promoting clean energy, protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, and supporting indigenous and local communities in protecting their environments and their rights.
The organization works in locations as diverse as California, Alaska, the Arctic and China, working through advocacy, research, policy development and partnerships with local grassroots organizations.
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