Overview

Title

To amend the Clean Air Act to include fuel for ocean-going vessels as additional renewable fuel for which credits may be generated under the renewable fuel program.

ELI5 AI

This bill wants to change the rules so that the fuel ships use at sea can be counted as "green" fuel, which is better for the environment. It asks the EPA to make new rules for this and tell Congress how it's going.

Summary AI

The bill S. 881, known as the “Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act,” aims to modify the Clean Air Act. It seeks to include fuels used by ocean-going ships as a type of renewable fuel, for which credits can be given under the renewable fuel program. The bill mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set up the necessary regulations within a year and report back to Congress on the implementation. This change will begin to apply in the second calendar year after the bill is enacted.

Published

2025-03-06
Congress: 119
Session: 1
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Introduced in Senate
Date: 2025-03-06
Package ID: BILLS-119s881is

Keywords AI

clean air act renewable fuel ocean-going vessels environmental protection agency renewable fuel credits fuel regulations fossil fuels epa report to congress marine fuel legislation s. 881

Sources

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
393
Pages:
2
Sentences:
11

Language

Nouns: 135
Verbs: 32
Adjectives: 14
Adverbs: 3
Numbers: 9
Entities: 27

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.35
Average Sentence Length:
35.73
Token Entropy:
4.60
Readability (ARI):
20.46

AnalysisAI

General Summary of the Bill

The "Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act," proposed in the 119th Congress, aims to amend the Clean Air Act to recognize fuel for ocean-going vessels as an additional category within the renewable fuel program. By making this amendment, the bill allows producers of renewable fuels for such vessels to generate credits similar to those available for other renewable fuels like home heating oil and jet fuel. This recognition extends the scope of renewable fuel initiatives to the maritime sector, which plays a crucial role in global transportation and trade.

Summary of Significant Issues

There are several potential issues and ambiguities within the proposed legislation:

  1. Delayed Implementation: The amendment's applicability begins from the second calendar year after its enactment. This delay may postpone the realization of environmental benefits intended by the law, affecting progress toward cleaner maritime fuel alternatives.

  2. Regulatory Criteria: The bill lacks specific criteria or guidelines for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator when developing regulations. This omission could lead to varied interpretations and potentially inconsistent applications of the program.

  3. Financial Implications: The bill does not address the financial impact of its implementation. This omission creates uncertainty regarding cost burdens on both government and industry stakeholders, potentially affecting budgeting and financial planning.

  4. Reporting Deadlines: While a report to Congress is mandated post-regulation, the bill does not set a specific timeline for this submission. The absence of deadlines could hinder accountability and proper oversight of the legislation's implementation.

  5. Scope Limitations: The bill specifies certain types of fossil fuels, potentially excluding other relevant fuels that might otherwise benefit from inclusion in the renewable fuel program.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The broader impact of this bill could be substantial, given the critical role of maritime shipping in global trade. By encouraging the use of renewable fuels, the bill seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, thereby contributing to improved air quality and environmental sustainability.

For the public, particularly those concerned with environmental issues, the bill represents a proactive step toward combating climate change. It emphasizes cleaner alternatives in a sector that has traditionally relied heavily on fossil fuels.

Stakeholder Impacts

  • Maritime and Shipping Industries: These sectors may encounter new regulatory requirements and potential costs associated with transitioning to renewable fuels. However, they could also benefit from new economic opportunities within the renewable fuel credits system, catalyzing innovation in the development of sustainable maritime fuel solutions.

  • Renewable Fuel Producers: This group stands to gain directly from the bill by expanding their market to include renewable fuels for ocean-going vessels, potentially driving investments and advancements in the sector.

  • Regulatory Bodies: Agencies like the EPA will bear the responsibility of developing appropriate regulations. The lack of defined criteria could present challenges in establishing clear, consistent standards, requiring significant administrative resources to address these complexities.

In conclusion, the bill represents a positive legislative step towards a more sustainable maritime industry but will require careful consideration of its implementation strategies and financial implications to ensure its effectiveness and equitable impact on all stakeholders involved.

Issues

  • The amendment is set to apply beginning with the second calendar year after the date of enactment, which could delay the intended environmental benefits and reduce the impact of the renewable fuel program. This issue pertains to Section 2(b).

  • The text does not specify the criteria that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator should consider when promulgating the necessary regulations, leaving room for broad interpretation and potentially inconsistent implementation. This issue pertains to Section 2(c).

  • There is no mention of potential financial impacts or costs associated with implementing these changes, which could lead to assumptions about funding requirements and impact federal or industry budgeting processes. This issue pertains to Section 2 generally.

  • There is no specified deadline for submitting the report to Congress in terms of how long the implementation process should take after the regulations are promulgated, which may lead to accountability and oversight challenges. This issue pertains to Section 2(d).

  • The specificity of 'fossil fuel present in home heating oil, fuel for ocean-going vessels, or jet fuel' may limit applicability to other relevant contexts or types of fuel, potentially excluding other significant fuel sources from the renewable fuel program. This issue pertains to Section 2(a).

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

This section states that the formal name of the act is the "Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act."

2. Renewable fuel for ocean-going vessels Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The text amends the Clean Air Act to include ocean-going vessel fuel in the definition of fossil fuels, requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to create regulations within a year, and mandates a report to Congress on the implementation and effects of these changes.