With the new U.S. administration, we are expecting a significant reversal in climate and environmental policies. At this point, we have already seen the new administration rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, an international treaty focused on mitigating the impact climate change will have around the world. We anticipate this is not the first of sweeping changes that will impact the maritime industry.

A young girl from the United Kingdom became the first person to officially have air pollution listed as a cause of death, due to a fatal asthma attack in 2013. Legal experts believe this could open the door to lawsuits by pollution victims and their families. Estimates are that between 28,000 and 36,000 people will die as a result of toxic air pollution every year in the UK.

The Green Energy Institute released A new report titled Deconstructing Diesel: A Law & Policy Roadmap for Reducing Diesel Emissions in the Portland Metropolitan Area which offers a road map for reducing diesel pollution in the Portland metro area.

Legislation that aims to facilitate emissions reduction from diesel engines was easily approved April 10 by the committee that oversees surface transportation policy in the U.S. Senate.

Sponsored by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) of 2019 would reauthorize the program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through 2024 to assist firms with rebuilding or retrofitting diesel engines. The objective is for those updated engines to be able to comply with pollution standards.

The Environment and Public Works panel advanced the measure to the floor of the Senate by voice vote. Carper, the panel’s ranking Democrat, had initially authored the bill more than a decade ago with former Ohio Sen. George Voinovich (R).

“Year after year, DERA has cost-effectively reduced air pollution and fueled American job creation,” Carper said in a statement soon after the vote. “Boasting $13 of health and economic benefits for every $1 of federal investment, it’s no wonder that DERA enjoys such broad, bipartisan support.”