Bipartisan emissions legislation in the Senate was met with skepticism at a hearing Wednesday, with witnesses arguing the legislation did not go far enough toward addressing pollution in the shipping sector.
The Environment and Public Works Committee considered S. 881, the “Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act,” which would expand the Renewable Fuel Standard program to allow companies to get credits when they produce renewable fuel — such as biofuels — for ocean-going vessels.
But despite having bipartisan support from co-sponsors Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), the legislation did not draw enthusiasm from the witnesses called before the committee to discuss the bill.
“Our review of the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act suggests that it will have a negligible impact on reducing the air pollution and climate impacts of maritime fuels,” said Nikita Pavlenko, program director for fuels and aviation at the International Council on Clean Transportation.
