Ship Scrapping Bill Introduced

U.S. Representative Philip English (R-PA) recently introduced a bill that would temporarily exempt scrapping of naval vessels and Maritime Administration vessels from certain environmental statutes governing handling of hazardous materials. Law change would let ships be scrapped overseas.

House Bill 4397 was introduced May 19^th.

According to Idil Oyman, a spokeswoman for Rep. English, if passed the bill could affect around 300 Naval vessels. The bill calls for a six-year waiver on a host of environmental regulations.

Some of acts that, if the bill was passed, would exempt vessels, include the following: The Toxic Substances Control Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976; the Clean Air Act; and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act

The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services and Transportation and Infrastructure.

Oyman says the goal of the bill is to help domestic manufacturers in accessing scrap metal at a more affordable level. She added that the goal would be help manufacturers purchase the raw material at a far less expensive price, and is not intended to make it easier to ship vessels overseas.