On 26 March 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
announced
that the
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
officially a
Click image to view enlarged EPA map |
accepted EPA's proposal to designate waters off the North American
coasts as an Emission Control Area (ECA) - a move that will require large ships
that operate in the ECA to use dramatically cleaner fuel and technology. The ECA was proposed in March 2009 and EPA
says IMO adopted it in the fastest possible timetable.
The proposal for ECA designation was introduced by the U.S. and Canada,
reflecting common interests, shared geography and interrelated economies. In
July 2009, France joined as a co-proposer on behalf of its island territories
of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, which form an archipelago off the coast of
Newfoundland. Allowing for the lead time associated with the IMO process, the
North American ECA will become enforceable in August 2012.
Enforcing the ECA standards will reduce sulfur content in fuel by 98
percent - slashing particulate matter emissions by 85 percent, and nitrogen
oxide (NOx) emissions by 80 percent. To achieve these reductions, tougher
sulfur standards will phase in starting in 2012, ultimately reaching no more
than 1,000 parts per million (0.1%) by 2015. Also, new ships must use advanced
emission control technologies beginning in 2016 which will help reduce NOx
emissions.
The area of the North American ECA includes waters adjacent to the
Pacific coast, the Atlantic/Gulf coast and the eight main Hawaiian Islands. It
extends up to 200 nautical miles from coasts of the United States, Canada and
the French territories, except that it does not extend into marine areas
subject to the sovereignty or jurisdiction of other States.
More
information - including ECA engine and fuel standards - is included in EPA's
fact sheet.
companies that have Texas issued air permits to avoid certain federal clean-air
requirements including public review when they modify their plants.
reporting rule to apply to all petroleum and natural gas facilities
emitting 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent annually (see
April, 2010 Emissions Monitor).
on existing
locomotive engines operating in California. Public agencies such as air districts, ports, federal, state, or local
government entities or agencies with expertise implementing demonstration
programs and the requisite knowledge of locomotive operations may apply to
become the demonstration project grantee. 
