Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act
Sponsored By: Representative Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program that uses voluntary vessel speed reductions to cut air pollution and greenhouse gases, reduce harmful underwater noise, and lower the risk of fatal vessel‑whale strikes. It directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to set up the program in consultation with the Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency and to model it after an existing California vessel speed reduction program.
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- Shipping companies and vessel owners gain a voluntary path to recognition. Vessels 300 gross tons or larger that transit the program area at 10 knots or lower, or another maximum set by the Under Secretary, can receive annual "Blue Whales and Blue Skies Excellence Awards" and display an official compliance logo with the year and the percentage of distance traveled at reduced speed.
- Marine wildlife and coastal communities may see fewer deadly ship strikes and less underwater noise. The program encourages slower transits to reduce acoustic impacts and emissions.
- Federal agencies must launch the program within 12 months and, within four years, consider expanding it to all U.S. Pacific coast shipping channels between Canada and Mexico and report recommendations to Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Voluntary ship speed awards program
If enacted, NOAA would set up the Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program within 12 months. The program would encourage voluntary ship speed reductions in a designated West Coast area. Owners of eligible vessels (300 gross tons or larger, approved by NOAA) would be able to earn an annual Excellence Award for transits at 10 knots or lower, or another speed set in NOAA guidance. NOAA would create an official logo awardees could display and would calculate each company’s percent distance at reduced speed, excluding Coast Guard-directed faster transits. The program would be voluntary, would not authorize federal payments or financial incentives, and would not change navigation safety rules.
Study to consider program expansion
If enacted, NOAA would consider within four years whether to extend the program to all Pacific coast shipping channels between Canada and Mexico. NOAA would report findings and recommendations to specified House and Senate committees. This study would be an evaluative report and would not itself expand the program or change participant rules.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/8/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov