Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), working with the Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency, to create a voluntary Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program within 12 months. The program would encourage ships of 300 gross tons or more to slow down while traveling in a designated area off the western U.S. coast, to reduce air pollution, underwater noise, and whale strikes. Each year, NOAA would give awards to owners of ships that traveled through the area at 10 knots or lower, and award winners could use an official logo. Within 4 years, NOAA must study extending the program to all Pacific coast shipping channels between Canada and Mexico and report to Congress. The bill does not require participation or provide money for financial incentives.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Salud O. Carbajal Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors