U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack said Wednesday he has sent a letter to the EPA outlining concern for New York's upcoming ballast water regulations for commercial vessels.
The state's regulations, aimed at thwarting the spread of invasive species that hitchhike in ballast tanks of ships, will affect ships going through the St. Lawrence Seaway and bound for Duluth in Cravaack's home district. Under New York's rules, by August 1, 2013, all vessels operating in New York waters will be required to install environmental technology that can clean or treat ballast water to meet a specific water quality standard.
But that standard might not be possible to meet, Cravaack said.
"The State of New York's ballast water quality standard is 100 times stronger than the standards established by the International Maritime Organization in 2004," Cravaack said in the letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. "The maritime industry has indicated that no technology exists to meet these requirements."
Cravaack, R-North Branch, said the New York law could impact shipping in and out of Duluth and reduce jobs in the industry.
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Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan also have current and upcoming ballast water regulations, and the EPA is developing its own national standard expected to be announced later this year.
