Governors Urge Tighter Emissions Standards For Ships

POLLUTION  ENVIRONMENT 

By Rob Manning

Portland, OR  July 11, 2008 10:02 a.m.

The governors of California, Washington, and Oregon sent a jointly signed letter Thursday to President Bush, pressuring him to tighten emission standards for ocean-going ships. Rob Manning reports.

The bill that the governors want President Bush to sign has passed both houses of Congress, but has sat on the President’s desk for a few days.

If signed into law, HR 802 would ratify an international treaty amendment focused on reducing air pollution from ships.

Governor Kulongoski's spokeswoman, Jillian Schoene  says ships and barges can be major polluters in the Northwest.

Jillian Schoene: “The fact of the matter is that emissions from ocean and river vessels can be as significant as those from cars and trucks on the highway system.”

The international treaty amendment toughens rules on two air pollutants: the greenhouse gas, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, which contributes to acid rain.

In their letter, the governors said they want the new law to send a clear signal of support well before an international conference coming in October.

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