Posted:
October 29, 2009
Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI), chairman of the Appropriations Committee, this week announced the addition of language to spending legislation that could extend the service lives of 26 Great Lakes vessels under new regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Earlier this year, the EPA released a proposed rule detailing plans to create an Emissions Control Area (ECA) that would extend 200 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline, including inland waters and the Great Lakes. The regulations — which, among other things, would require the use of low-sulfur distillate fuels — would take effect in 2012.
On the Lakes, 13 steamships would need to be removed from service, as they would risk a catastrophic engine explosion if they were to burn the distillate fuel required under the EPA rule. The operation of an additional 13 lakers powered by category 3 diesel engines would be jeopardized by the new requirements. The rule could require retrofitting or replacement some of the engines of these 13 vessels at significant expense to accommodate the cleaner but far more expensive fuel.
These vessels are in most cases manned by engineers, mates and stewards represented by American Maritime Officers. AMO is the largest merchant marine officers' union on the Great Lakes and was among the maritime interests filing comments with the EPA on its proposed rule. In its comments, AMO was critical of provisions that, though well intentioned, would have a devastating and permanent impact on Great Lakes shipping and the jobs it sustains.
The language announced this week would exempt the 13 steamships from the EPA rule and would include a waiver provision in the final EPA rule to address serious economic hardship caused by the increased cost of using such fuel. The operators of the 13 lakers with category 3 engines could apply. The legislation with this language has not been approved by Congress or signed by the President.
In announcing the deal, Rep. Obey remarked: “This compromise will allow EPA to go ahead with a new clean air rule without sinking the Great Lakes fleet – and all the jobs it creates in the region.”
Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, worked with Rep. Obey on these provisions. “The goals of clean air and a strong economy are not mutually exclusive,” Rep. Oberstar said. “This deal allows the economic recovery to continue on Minnesota’s iron range by ensuring that Great Lakes shipping is not unfairly disadvantaged by new EPA rules.”
As noted by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, ships burn less fuel and produce fewer emissions than trains and trucks. The 13 vessels currently powered with category 3 diesel engines using intermediate fuel hauled 29 million tons of cargo in 2008. It would take 1.1 million trucks or 290,000 railcars to replace their carrying capacity. We all win when we keep these cargos on vessels working the Great Lakes.
“I am not alone in expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Great Lakes Congressional delegation and administration officials who crafted this workable solution to extend the service lives of 13 U.S. steamships, and to provide the owners of the 13 motor vessels more time to make informed business decisions and the opportunity to work with the EPA,” said AMO National Vice President for the Great Lakes Don Cree, who serves as president of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force.
Cree added: “As members of the Great Lakes shipping community, we owe particular recognition to Congressmen Obey and Oberstar for their tireless work to ensure the EPA rule can achieve its goal without decimating shipping on the Lakes.”
Legislative leaders work to keep Great Lakes vessels in service, sustain jobs
Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI), chairman of the Appropriations Committee, this week announced the addition of language to spending legislation that could extend the service lives of 26 Great Lakes vessels under new regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Earlier this year, the EPA released a proposed rule detailing plans to create an Emissions Control Area (ECA) that would extend 200 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline, including inland waters and the Great Lakes. The regulations — which, among other things, would require the use of low-sulfur distillate fuels — would take effect in 2012.
On the Lakes, 13 steamships would need to be removed from service, as they would risk a catastrophic engine explosion if they were to burn the distillate fuel required under the EPA rule. The operation of an additional 13 lakers powered by category 3 diesel engines would be jeopardized by the new requirements. The rule could require retrofitting or replacement some of the engines of these 13 vessels at significant expense to accommodate the cleaner but far more expensive fuel.
These vessels are in most cases manned by engineers, mates and stewards represented by American Maritime Officers. AMO is the largest merchant marine officers' union on the Great Lakes and was among the maritime interests filing comments with the EPA on its proposed rule. In its comments, AMO was critical of provisions that, though well intentioned, would have a devastating and permanent impact on Great Lakes shipping and the jobs it sustains.
The language announced this week would exempt the 13 steamships from the EPA rule and would include a waiver provision in the final EPA rule to address serious economic hardship caused by the increased cost of using such fuel. The operators of the 13 lakers with category 3 engines could apply. The legislation with this language has not been approved by Congress or signed by the President.
In announcing the deal, Rep. Obey remarked: “This compromise will allow EPA to go ahead with a new clean air rule without sinking the Great Lakes fleet – and all the jobs it creates in the region.”
Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN), chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, worked with Rep. Obey on these provisions. “The goals of clean air and a strong economy are not mutually exclusive,” Rep. Oberstar said. “This deal allows the economic recovery to continue on Minnesota’s iron range by ensuring that Great Lakes shipping is not unfairly disadvantaged by new EPA rules.”
As noted by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force, ships burn less fuel and produce fewer emissions than trains and trucks. The 13 vessels currently powered with category 3 diesel engines using intermediate fuel hauled 29 million tons of cargo in 2008. It would take 1.1 million trucks or 290,000 railcars to replace their carrying capacity. We all win when we keep these cargos on vessels working the Great Lakes.
“I am not alone in expressing appreciation for the efforts of the Great Lakes Congressional delegation and administration officials who crafted this workable solution to extend the service lives of 13 U.S. steamships, and to provide the owners of the 13 motor vessels more time to make informed business decisions and the opportunity to work with the EPA,” said AMO National Vice President for the Great Lakes Don Cree, who serves as president of the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force.
Cree added: “As members of the Great Lakes shipping community, we owe particular recognition to Congressmen Obey and Oberstar for their tireless work to ensure the EPA rule can achieve its goal without decimating shipping on the Lakes.”