The bill was introduced into the U.S. Congress in July 2022 by Congressman Alan Lowenthal who represents the Port of Long Beach, one of the nation’s busiest cargo ports, and cosponsored by Congresswoman Nanette Barragán who represents the neighboring Port of Los Angeles.
The bill sets carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships and aims to eliminate in-port ship emissions by 2030.
Specifically, the legislation directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten carbon intensity standards for fuels used by ships consistent with a 1.5° Celsius decarbonization pathway. These standards would require lifecycle carbon dioxide-equivalent reductions of 20 percent from January 1, 2027, 45 percent from January 1, 2030, 80 percent from January 1, 2035, and 100 percent from January 1, 2040, relative to the 2024 emissions baseline.
