Require Low Sulfur Fuels!
Friends of the San Juans is providing leadership in support of HB 1652/SB 5519 Reducing environmental impacts associated with the operation of certain ocean-going vessels. We’re thankful to our excellent team of ENGO colleagues and the bill’s prime sponsors, Representative Debra Lekanoff and Senator Liz Lovelett.
This bill will improve air and water quality for the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales, salmon, shoreline communities, and marine economies!
Your voice will be needed to help require low-sulfur fuels in 2026! Stay engaged with Friends on this issue by ensuring you are signed up for action alerts.
The Issue
Large ocean-going ships with scrubbers are polluting Washington’s waters—and we have a chance to stop it. Friends of the San Juans is leading support for a bill that requires 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.
What are scrubbers?
An increasing number of ships use scrubbers to burn cheaper, but 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.
The Basic Facts
- Scrubbers move pollution from the air into our waters. Over 82% of scrubber-equipped ships discharge pollution directly overboard, contaminating critical habitats for endangered species like Southern Resident killer whales and salmon.
- This toxic discharge threatens marine and aquatic food webs throughout Washington state. The biomagnification of heavy metals and toxic oil chemicals, like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in the food chain affects 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 a Legislative Bill Will 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 rely on these waters for fishing, cultural practices, and sustenance.
Take Action Now!
Send your appreciation to the prime sponsors of this legislation:
Rep. Debra Lekanoff
JLOB 422
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA
98504-0600
Debra.Lekanoff@leg.wa.gov
Sen. Liz Lovelett
233 John A. Cherberg Building
PO Box 40440
Olympia, WA 98504
Liz.Lovelett@leg.wa.gov
Learn More
- WA State Legislature bill information pages: HB 1652 and SB 5519
- Low Sulfur Fuel Legislation White Paper
- 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
Support for Friends work on this legislation is provided by our members, Lummi Nation Community Contribution Program, Harder Foundation, Sustainable Path Foundation, and Burning Foundation.
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, friends@sanjuans.org.
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