Deal struck on Great Lakes ship pollution

[October 28, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional negotiators reached formal agreement Tuesday on a deal that would effectively exempt 13 Great Lakes steamships from a proposed federal rule meant to reduce air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed that large vessels be required to use cleaner-burning fuel when operating within 200 miles of the United States. But Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., argued that converting the 13 aging Great Lakes steamships to less-polluting fuel could risk explosions in their boilers.

The exemption was approved as part of a natural resources spending bill. The compromise measure could be voted on in the House as early as Wednesday.

The provision also allows for other steamships to apply to the EPA for hardship exemptions.

[Associated Press]

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