Two bills have the power to improve air and water quality for the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales, salmon, and marine communities! Your voice is needed to help move them forward.
Protect the Salish Sea, Public Health, and Washington State’s Marine Economy with HB 1652 and SB 5519
What are scrubbers?
An increasing number of ships use scrubbers in order to burn cheaper, more polluting heavy fuel oil that does not meet emissions requirements. Ships use scrubbers to remove sulfur from their exhaust—but instead of eliminating pollution, they dump it into our waters. Scrubber pollution contains heavy metals and other contaminants that harm marine life, threaten public health, degrade Tribal treaty-reserved fishing waters, and contribute to ocean acidification.
Large ocean-going ships with scrubbers are polluting Washington’s waters—and we have a chance to stop it. HB 1652 and SB 5519 would require ships to use low-sulfur fuels—just like they are already required to do in California. This is the simple, effective solution we need to keep our waters, wildlife, and communities safe.
The Basic Facts
- Scrubbers move pollution from the air into our waters. Over 80% of scrubber-equipped ships discharge pollution directly overboard, contaminating marine habitats.
- This toxic discharge threatens salmon, orcas, and people. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the food chain affects both wildlife and human health.
- Most ships don’t use scrubbers. The majority of vessels already comply with emission rules by using low-sulfur fuels.
- Ships that use heavy fuel oil with scrubbers produce more air pollution than ships using low-sulfur fuels.
- Ships with scrubbers can switch to low-sulfur fuels without needing new or modified engines.
How These Bills Help
- Prevents pollution: Eliminates the need for scrubbers, keeping heavy metals, PAHs (toxic hydrocarbons), highly acidic sulfur oxides, and other pollutants out of our waters.
- Protects marine ecosystems: Safeguards eelgrass, bull kelp, salmon, and forage fish—the foundation of a healthy food web for endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
- Supports healthier communities: Reduces harmful air and water pollution that impacts public health, aquaculture, and coastal economies.
- Respects Tribal treaty rights: Clean water is essential for Indigenous communities who have relied on these waters for fishing, cultural practices, and sustenance.
The Timeline
Sign in PRO at least 1 hour before the hearing starts.
- HB 1652: House Environment & Energy Committee hearing → February 4 at 4:00 PM
- SB 5519: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee hearing → February 7 at 10:30 AM.
Take Action Now!
Learn More
- WA State Legislature bill information pages: HB 1652 and SB 5519
- Friends of the San Juans’ comments to Transport Canada on scrubber use in Canadian waters
- Impacts of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) discharge waters on planktonic biological indicators
- Pacific Environment reports: Poison in the water: The call to ban scrubber discharge and Ship pollution: From air to ocean
- Effects of Outfalls and Effluent on Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.): A Literature Review
- Heavy metal impact on growth and leaf asymmetry of seagrass, Halophila ovalis
Loving this place isn’t enough. We must protect it too.
If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Our team is dedicated to making environmental science, policy, and law accessible, empowering you to protect what makes this special place so extraordinary. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re in this together! ~ Friends of the San Juans, [email protected]
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