The draft final rule of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for control of air emissions from new marine compression-ignition engines at or above 30 liters per cylinder is under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2009. While the proposal largely followed the IMO standards for emission control areas (ECAs), it was somewhat controversial because it proposed banning the sale of high-sulphur fuel oil in the United States, even to ships with technology to scrub the emissions. The final rule is scheduled for publication on December 17. (11/18/09).
(Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)