Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008

Bill: 110-s-2881
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2008-04-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative fees
Administrative procedure
Air pollution control
Alaska
Bacterial diseases
Business records
Chlorine
Coast guard
Commerce
Commercialization
Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental health
Environmental law enforcement
Environmental monitoring
Environmental technology
Fines (Penalties)
Fuel consumption
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government trust funds
Great Lakes
Hazardous wastes
Health
Incineration
International Affairs
International environmental cooperation
Law
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine engines
Marine pollution
Passenger ships
Science, Technology, Communications
Sewage disposal
Sewage sludge
Standards
State laws
Technological innovations
Transportation and Public Works
Waste disposal in the ocean
Waste disposal sites
Water pollution control
Water quality
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: 
Clean Cruise Ship Act of 2008 - Prohibits cruise vessels calling on U.S. ports from discharging sewage, graywater, or bilge water into U.S. waters unless: (1) the treated effluent meets specified effluent limits and management standards; (2) the vessel is proceeding at not less than six knots; (3) the vessel is not less than 12 nautical miles from shore; and (4) the vessel is not in a no discharge zone. Prohibits the discharge of sewage sludge, incinerator ash, or hazardous waste into U.S. waters and requires it to be off-loaded at appropriate land-based facilities. Prescribes exceptions for: (1) discharges solely to secure the safety of a vessel or to save a life at sea; and (2) Alaskan vessels until 10 years after enactment.

Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate such effluent limits that: (1) are consistent with the capability of the best available technology to treat effluent; (2) require compliance with state and federal water quality standards; (3) take into account the best available scientific information on environmental effects; and (4) require treated discharges to meet specified standards for minimum effluent quality, fecal coliform, and residual chlorine. 

Requires the EPA Administrator to implement a sampling and testing program, and requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to implement an inspection program, sufficient to verify that such vessels are in compliance with this Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and other applicable federal laws and international agreements. 

Requires the Commandant to establish a program for the placement of trained independent observers on vessels to monitor and inspect vessel operations, equipment, and discharges. 

Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out a pilot program to develop and promote commercialization of technologies to provide federal agencies data regarding discharges from vessels and functioning of vessel components relating to fuel consumption and air and water pollution control.

Calls for enactment of standards for: (1) ballast water; and (2) air quality regarding incineration and engine activities of vessels.

Establishes the Cruise Vessel Pollution Control Fund. Requires the Commandant to collect fees from vessels for paying passengers to be deposited in such Fund for use in carrying out this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3148-3154)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3147-3148)
action_date: 2008-04-17
text: Introduced in Senate