Pacific Environment has invited the members of the Maritime Battery Forum for a discussion on the Clean Shipping Act of 2023 and the International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2023.
The Clean Shipping Act of 2023 by Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-Long Beach) and co-lead Rep. Nanette Barragán (CA-Los Angeles), with a companion bill introduced in the Senate by Sen. Alex Padilla (CA) – would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from marine vessels of 400 gross tonnage and above that call on ports in the U.S., reaching 100% GHG emission reductions by 2040. It also directs EPA to require zero in-port emissions from marine vessels by 2030 (which would essentially require ships to plug into shorepower).
The International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2023 – introduced by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and co-sponsored by Senator Padilla and Welch – would direct the U.S. EPA to levy a pollution fee on large marine vessels (10,000 gross tonnage and above) offloading cargo at U.S. ports: a $150 per ton maritime CO2e fee, as well as fees for the NOx, SO2, and PM2.5 that ships emit. The revenue generated would be directed towards programs that would provide critical funding for modernizing the domestic Jones Act fleet, revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding, decarbonizing the maritime economy, supporting workforce development, and provide funding for battery technology!
Press releases:
Interested Maritime Battery Forum members can send an email to director@maritimebatteryforum.com for the meeting link.
Key takeaways from the Clean Shipping Act of 2023:
The progressively tighter GHG intensity standards for the fuels used by ships are consistent with a decarbonization pathway that is compatible with the Paris Agreement’s objective of keeping warming below 1.5°C.
The requirements to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2030 will save lives and provide significant air quality and health benefits to families living in port-adjacent communities.
The Act will help spur the development of the zero-emission vessel market and accelerate zero-emission research and demonstration across the maritime supply chain.
Key takeaways from the International Maritime Pollution Accountability Act of 2023:
The pollution fees would raise an estimated $250 billion over 10 years for maritime decarbonization efforts and would reduce climate and air pollutant emissions by about 22% over the same time period. For consumers, the impact on prices would be minimal.
Uses of Revenue:
25% for replacing (or retrofitting) Jones Act vessels with battery and zero to low-carbon vessels.
25% for DOE grants to support R&D of battery and zero to low-carbon maritime fuels.
10% for the Clean Ports Program and 5% for related workforce development.
10% for ferry electrification and 10% for harbor craft electrification.
7% for port infrastructure (PIDP) and 3% for port community air monitoring.
3% for the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund.
2% for the Marine Debris Foundation.