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Environmental groups, tribes and industry clash over HB 16 52’s low-sulfur fuel and scrubber limits
Summary
The House Committee on Environment and Energy heard broad and technical testimony on HB 16 52, which would require ocean-going vessels to use 0.1% sulfur fuel and prohibit scrubbers that discharge wash water into state waters.
The House Committee on Environment and Energy heard extensive public testimony for and against House Bill 16 52, which would require ocean-going vessels to use marine fuels with a maximum sulfur content of 0.1% by weight starting Jan. 1, 2028 and would prohibit the use of open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) that discharge wash water into state waters.
Marcy Keever, policy director at Friends of the Earth, testified in support and said scrubber wash water is “incredibly toxic” and harms marine life in Puget Sound. “Ship fuel is some of the dirtiest fuel on the planet,” Keever said, urging the state to close the scrubber loophole and adopt a California-style 0.1% sulfur standard without allowing scrubber-based compliance.
Testimony in favor also came from community and tribal…
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