Action to be taken against EPA over VIDA delays

Following the passing of VIDA, the role of the EPA was to set national standards of performance for discharges incidental to the normal operation of a vessel by December 2020. The standards were to be based on technology and can include numerical, best management practice or a combination of both.

After the EPA has set standards, the USCG must adopt the regulations to implement and enforce standards established by EPA.

EPA released a proposed rule on 26 October 2020, but the agency never finalised it and the situation remains confused. The USCG issued a draft policy letter that seemed to reject the testing laid out in VIDA.

By filing a notice of intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency, The Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Earth in the USA have highlighted the lack of progress on VIDA. “The agency’s foot-dragging on finalising strong, legally required vessel discharge standards is inexcusable,” said the Center for Biological Diversity senior attorney Julie Teel Simmonds.

Although VIDA has stalled, the existing rules on ballast water in the USA continue, but lack of progress has caused some companies to withdraw from providing ballast water treatment systems.

“Ship discharges are wreaking ecological, economic and public health havoc, all while the EPA sits on its hands,” said Friends of the Earth oceans and vessels programme director Marcie Keever, “The agency must protect people, the economy, wildlife and habitats from harmful vessel pollution without any further delay.”

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