US to seek ratification of marine pollution accord
Date: 13-May-02
Country: USA
The agreement, known as MARPOL Annex VI, limits emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides at sea and prohibits the emission of gases which deplete the ozone layer.
The State Department said in a statement that, as well as favoring ratification, Washington "supports strengthening the Annex VI standards for nitrogen oxides emissions, taking into account the emission reduction potential of control technologies developed since 1997".
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 30 signed a proposed rule that would implement U.S. nitrogen oxides standards based on those in Annex VI. After receiving public comment, these proposed standards would take effect in 2004.