EPA Publishes ECA Penalty Policy
EPA has released a penalty policy for ECA violations.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a penalty policy for violations of the sulfur in fuel standard and related provisions for ships.
The policy, which pursues violations of U.S. and international air pollution requirements by ships operating in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea Emissions Control Areas (ECA), applies to violations of new international standards for sulfur emissions from ships that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2015, and violations under the previous standards.
The EPA said this policy is intended to deter potential violators, ensure that the EPA assesses fair and equitable penalties and allow for the swift resolution of claims arising from noncompliance, while enforcing marine emission standards to help prevent air pollution from harming public health.
“Air pollution from ships can have major impacts on air quality in American communities," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA stands ready to protect these communities and the companies that play by the rules by working with the Coast Guard to enforce air emissions standards for ships operating in U.S. waters.”
The new penalty policy can be found here: http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-01/documents/marinepenaltypolicy.pdf.
