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HR8726FEDERALFederal Billfiled

The Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act

Original title: Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act

Record date · June 13, 2024

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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Public stanceCommunity reactions are separate from the official record and reporting.

What This Bill Would Do

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to create a voluntary program that encourages shipping companies to slow down their vessels along the U.S. West Coast to protect whales and reduce air pollution. Participating companies that meet speed requirements will be eligible for annual excellence awards and the use of an official program logo.

Why it matters

The bill establishes a federal framework for voluntary vessel speed reduction, which impacts shipping operations and environmental compliance standards for large vessels transiting the U.S. Pacific coast, without providing direct financial incentives or mandatory speed limits.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Shipping companies

Companies operating vessels of 300 gross tons or greater may choose to participate in the program to earn awards and use the official logo.

Directly affected

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The agency is required to establish, administer, and report on the new program within specified timeframes.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this program mandatory for shipping companies?

No, the bill explicitly states that participation in the program is voluntary.

Will shipping companies receive money for participating?

No, the bill prohibits the authorization of appropriations for or the provision of any financial incentives for participation.

What vessels are eligible to participate?

Eligible vessels are those that are 300 or greater and have been approved by the .

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

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Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey Bay Counties, California and 12 more

OrganizationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration“NOAA is responsible for establishing and managing the Blue Whales and Blue Skies”Map →

locationSanta Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Monterey Bay Counties“Part of the model program.”Map →

locationCalifornia“The state where the Environmental Defense Center is established.”Map →

OrganizationNational Marine Sanctuary Foundation“Used as a model for the program.”Map →

OrganizationCoast Guard“Consulted in the establishment of the program.”Map →

OrganizationEnvironmental Defense Center“Used as a model for the program.”Map →

PersonUnder Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere“The Under Secretary is tasked with establishing the program.”Map →

PersonHuffman“Co-sponsored the bill.”Map →

OrganizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Consulted in the establishment of the program.”Map →

locationGreater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary“Part of the model program.”Map →

OrganizationAir Pollution Control Districts“Used as a model for the program.”Map →

OrganizationCalifornia Marine Sanctuary Foundation“Used as a model for the program.”Map →

locationChannel Islands“Part of the model program.”Map →

OrganizationBay Area Air Quality Management District“Part of the model program.”Map →

PersonAlan S. Lowenthal“Introduced the bill.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.congress.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance45
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

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