S. 2261: Clean Shipping Act of 2025
The bill, known as the Clean Shipping Act of 2025, aims to amend the Clean Air Act to establish new standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from certain vessels. Here’s a breakdown of key components of the bill:
Definitions
The bill introduces several terms critical for understanding its provisions:
- Carbon Dioxide-Equivalent: This measures how much carbon dioxide emissions correspond to the warming potential of other greenhouse gases.
- Carbon Intensity: This refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of fuel energy, expressed in grams of carbon dioxide-equivalent per megajoule.
- Covered Voyage: This includes trips made by commercial vessels for transporting passengers or cargo between U.S. ports or between a U.S. port and an international port.
- Vessel: Defined as a vessel that has a gross tonnage of 400 or more.
Marine Greenhouse Gas Fuel Standards
The bill establishes standards to reduce the carbon intensity of fuel used by vessels on covered voyages:
- By 2030-2034: Increase fuel carbon intensity reduction to at least 30% below a specified baseline.
- By 2034-2039: Increase to at least 58% reduction.
- By 2040-2044: Increase to at least 83% reduction.
- By 2045-2049: Increase to at least 92% reduction.
- By 2050 and thereafter: Achieve 100% reduction in carbon intensity.
Regulatory Process
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator will be responsible for setting these standards, ensuring they are finalized and implemented within specific timeframes.
If it is determined that achieving a reduction is not feasible, the Administrator can set a less stringent standard that is the maximum achievable based on technological and economic considerations.
International Standards
If international standards from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are found to be as stringent or more stringent than U.S. standards, the EPA may adopt the IMO standards instead.
Monitoring and Reporting Requirements
Vessel owners will be required to monitor and report the following annually:
- The carbon intensity of the fuel used for each covered voyage.
- The total amount of fuel used.
- Total greenhouse gas emissions for all covered voyages.
The EPA will compile these reports and make them publicly accessible to provide transparency and understanding of the greenhouse gas emissions from vessels.
In-Port Marine Vessel Zero Emission Standards
The bill also mandates the creation of standards to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions for vessels at dock or anchored in U.S. waters by 2035, with similar considerations for technological and economic feasibility as mentioned above.
Enforcement
Compliance with the established standards and reporting requirements will be classified as emission standards under existing environmental law, thus allowing for enforcement mechanisms to ensure adherence.
Relevant Companies
- CSX: This rail transportation company could be affected by changes in shipping logistics linked to new maritime fuel standards.
- Cummins Inc. (CMI): As a manufacturer of engines and power generation products, this company's products may need to adapt to meet emissions standards for marine vessels.
- A.P. Moller-Maersk (MAERSK): As a major container shipping company, it will need to comply with new carbon intensity regulations for its fleet.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
1 sponsor
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Jul. 10, 2025 | Introduced in Senate |
| Jul. 10, 2025 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4317) |
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