Senators Bicker Over Standards in Ballast Water Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – While the Senate has moved to pass the Great Lakes Compact, it has stalled on legislation that would address the invasion of harmful non-indigenous species into the basin. The AP reports that Senator Daniel Inouye, chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is pushing to get clean-up standards established for the oceangoing vessels infamous for dumping ballast water rife with invasive species.

But Environment and Public Works Committee chair Senator Barbara Boxer, who believes the effort would actually limit the stringency of state-level standards, is blocking the bill. While a national standard improves efficiency, it also means that states such as California will have to lower their standards.

According to Inouye, state-established standards would impede the progress of shipping companies that work across state boundaries.

Read more here.

Source: Associated Press