EPA Proposes Strict Ship Emissions Standards

The Environmental Protection Agency has asked that an emissions control area be created along the United States’ coastline to reduce what officials say are harmful emissions from ships.

EPA said at a press conference Monday that the emissions control area would save up to 8,300 American and Canadian lives by 2020.

Under the proposal, EPA is asking that the International Maritime Organization enforce strict emissions standards on oil tankers and cargo ships within 230 miles of U.S. coastlines, EPA said. Ships would be required to use fuel with no more than 1,000 parts per million sulfur beginning in 2015.

IMO will begin the review process in July, and EPA says that the proposal could be enacted by next year.