The lawsuit, filed by Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund on behalf of the Bluewater Network, challenges EPA's failure to set any standard for NOx emissions.
Large ships cause tremendous pollution both in port and at sea.
This leads to increased urban smog, health problems for low-income people living near port facilities, and severe climate change effects. The Clean Air Act requires EPA to establish regulations to reduce air pollution from non-automobile engines that significantly contribute to pollution in areas with poor air quality. However, as Bluewater Network made clear to EPA before the rule was finalized, Annex VI is not an enforceable agreement and is unlikely to be anytime soon. The agreement will only go into effect when countries responsible for at least 50 percent of the world's shipping traffic ratify the treaty. So far only two nations have done so, and they represent only 5 percent of the world shipping.