Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9185
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T17:36:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation establishes a voluntary federal program to reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, underwater noise from vessels, and the risk of fatal whale strikes along the western coast of the United States by encouraging slower vessel speeds.
Key Provisions
- Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA) to create the Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program within 12 months, in consultation with the Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency.
- Requires the program to be modeled on an existing voluntary vessel speed reduction initiative run by California air districts, national marine sanctuaries, and nonprofit organizations.
- Provides annual Blue Whales and Blue Skies Excellence Awards to owners of eligible vessels (300 gross tons or greater) that maintain speeds of 10 knots or less (or a lower limit set by NOAA guidance) while transiting the designated program area.
- Authorizes creation and use of an official program logo by award-winning shipping companies, displayed with company name, award year, and compliance percentage.
- Requires a report within four years on the feasibility of expanding the program to all Pacific shipping channels between Canada and Mexico.
- Includes explicit limitations: participation is voluntary, no federal funding or financial incentives are authorized, and nothing affects navigation safety.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates a new federal recognition program administered by NOAA. It does not amend or repeal existing statutes but formalizes and expands a model currently operated at the state and local level into a nationwide framework for the U.S. Pacific coast.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: NOAA gains new program administration duties; the Coast Guard and EPA provide consultation but no new regulatory authority.
- Citizens and environment: May reduce vessel-related air emissions, ocean noise, and whale mortality in coastal waters, benefiting marine ecosystems and air quality in coastal regions.
- Shipping industry: Offers public recognition for voluntary compliance without mandatory requirements or costs imposed by the federal government.
- International relations: No direct effects, as the program applies only to U.S. waters and is strictly voluntary.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Shipping companies and vessel owners operating on the U.S. West Coast.
- National Marine Sanctuaries and California air quality management districts.
- Environmental and marine conservation organizations.
- Coastal communities and the general public concerned with air quality and marine mammal protection.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure emphasizes voluntary action and contains multiple safeguards against regulatory overreach or safety conflicts. It introduces no new enforcement mechanisms, appropriations, or mandates, limiting its scope to recognition and reporting.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-08: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act — issued 2026-06-08 — PDF (6 pages)