Large steamships on the Great Lakes exempt from proposed fuel mandate

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At least 13 large steamships on the Great Lakes will be exempt from a proposed federal requirement to use low-sulfur diesel fuel.

Rep. David Obey, D-Wausau, and Jim Oberstar of Duluth reached a compromise with the EPA on a plan to make ships within 200 miles of U.S. shores use cleaner-burning fuel.

It paves the way for a House vote on the measure as early as today.

The rule is meant to cut down on air pollution, and reduce health risks for workers on or near those vessels.

But Obey said it would have shut down some of the Great Lakes most storied freighters, and put thousands of jobs at risk for those using those boats, including coal shippers and mining firms.

He also said the new fuel could cause explosions in the ships’ boilers. It would have cost $22 million to re-power each of the 13 steamships.

And the Great Lakes Carriers’ Association said it would have forced some classic icons into retirement.

The compromise also lets other diesel-engine boats on the Great Lakes get waivers if they can show economic hardships.

Salt-water vessels would still have to use the new low-sulfur fuel.

Tags: great lakes shipping, wisconsin, fuel, mandate