To direct the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program to reduce air pollution and harmful underwater acoustic impacts and the risk of fatal vessel whale strikes by recognizing voluntary reductions in the speed of vessels transiting the western coast of the United States, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · June 13, 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a voluntary program encouraging large vessels to reduce their speed along the western U.S. coast. Ships that participate by traveling at 10 knots or slower would be eligible to receive annual Blue Whales and Blue Skies Excellence Awards and can display an official logo recognizing their participation, helping reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, underwater noise, and the risk of fatal whale strikes. The program, modeled after an existing voluntary effort already operating in California, must be established within 12 months and requires consultation with the Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency. Within four years, the administration must evaluate whether to expand the program along all Pacific shipping channels between Canada and Mexico and report its findings to Congress. Participation is entirely voluntary, requires no government funding or financial incentives, and does not affect maritime navigation safety requirements.
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