Chalmers study exposes costly toll of scrubber discharge
NewsChalmers University study unveils €680 million toll of scrubber discharge on the Baltic Sea, calling for a ban on scrubber discharge in Sweden.
Pacific Environment calls on EPA to ban scrubbers
The Pacific Environment policy paper urges the U.S. to ban scrubbers, citing evidence that they harm marine environments, wildlife, and human health.
A policy paper released last week by Pacific Environment presents a weight of evidence that Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (ECGS), widely known as scrubbers, are detrimental to the marine environment, wildlife and people’s health.
According to Pacific Environment, recent scientific studies show that scrubber discharge is extremely toxic to marine life at very low concentrations, and scrubber discharge may have a serious impact on the populations of key species of marine food webs.
Pacific Environment has compiled 26 recent studies showing the breadth and depth of new and substantial data, making the case for why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must ban scrubber discharge.
“The Biden administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should respond to these increasing environmental threats and lessen health risks by banning scrubber discharges in U.S. waters, as they finalise pending regulations under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA),” said Pacific Environment.
VIDA requires the EPA to develop national standards of performance for incidental discharges. The EPA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in October 2020, but the rule has not yet been finalised.
“Act now”
Kay Brown, Arctic Policy Director, Pacific Environment, stated: “Substantial data has been published since EPA’s 2020 initial consideration to regulate scrubbers. This new information documenting the harm to our marine environment and wildlife compels action now. More than 90 jurisdictions across the globe have enacted scrubber discharge bans and restrictions — and the United States should follow their lead. We call on the EPA and President Biden to end the use of scrubbers now.”
In a summary of restrictions on discharges from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, dated August 11, 2020, the EPA concluded that “insufficient data exist at this time to warrant prohibiting these discharges under the Clean Water Act. Technical committees at the IMO are currently revisiting the need to perform additional assessments of environmental impacts from EGCS discharges, and EPA will continue to monitor the availability of research findings compiled in connection with these discussions.”
“Substantial data has been published since EPA’s 2020 consideration of regulating scrubbers and this new information documenting harms justifies and compels action now. In addition, the IMO has essentially ceded the opportunity for near-term regulation of scrubbers to nations, regions and local authorities,” Pacific Environment added.
Read the full paper here: “Ship pollution: From air to ocean. The science on pollution scrubbers and why EPA should ban scrubber discharge”
Background
In September 2023, Pacific Environment and Ocean Conservancy, in partnership with Pacific Environment’s allies, submitted a letter with 45 signatories to the Biden administration that includes seven specific recommendations, including a call to phase out and ban the use of sulphur scrubbers on ships in U.S. waters.
In June 2024, Pacific Environment added 23 signatories for a total of 68 signatories, including industry groups and non-governmental organisations.
About Pacific Environment
Pacific Environment, headquartered in San Francisco, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting the environment, wildlife, and communities of the Pacific Rim. Founded in 1987, it focuses on combating climate change, promoting clean energy, protecting marine and coastal ecosystems, and supporting Indigenous and local communities in their efforts to safeguard their environments and rights.
The organisation operates in various regions, including California, Alaska, the Arctic, and China, and works through advocacy, research, policy development, and partnerships with local grassroots organisations.
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