NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Feb. 15 that his office has joined 10 other attorneys general in writing a letter to Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Charles Schumer of New York, asking for them to oppose to the Commercial Vessel Incidental Discharge Act.
According to the letter, the legislation would weaken environmental safety, and New York and other states would not be able to limit the amount of discharge commercial shipping vessels could release into their waters. Additionally, the bill would exempt ship discharges from the federal Clean Water Act.
“This legislation would undercut the independence of states in fighting harmful biological pollution from commercial shipping, which causes serious damage to our environment and our economy in New York. Congress should not serve as a rubber stamp for commercial shipping interests at the expense of the health of the waters in New York and across the nation,” Schneiderman said.
“I will continue to join with other state attorneys general in opposing efforts by this Congress or administration to undercut critical environmental protections. As my office has made clear, we will not hesitate to step in to defend the laws that keep our environment and our families safe and healthy.”