Begich Praises Innovative Carnival Cruise Ship Pollution Solution

Press Release

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich welcomed news today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Coast Guard and Carnival Corporation have agreed on a strategy to allow Carnival to comply with new stringent air-emission control regulations known as the Emission Control Area (ECA) while continuing their operations.

"When the industry and the regulators work together, we can find common sense solutions," said Sen. Begich. "I've been working with all parties involved to try and find a way forward and I'm glad they have come to this agreement."

Under the agreement, Carnival will convert 32 of its ships to an innovative two-stage scrubber system by 2016. The system will remove particulate matter, black carbon and sulfur. Because the ECA regulations focus primarily on sulfur, the removal of the black carbon and particulate matter will provide additional health and environmental benefits beyond what the regulations require.

The ships will be exempt from ECA until they are converted, but will have to burn low-sulfur fuel while in port to ensure cleaner air. Carnival, including its subsidiary lines Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, will be converting all of its Alaska cruise ships and anticipates most conversions will be done in 2014 and 2015.

"Carnival has found an innovative technology that will exceed air emission standards while allowing them to keep down costs for visitors to Alaska," said Sen. Begich. "This will help ensure both the health and economy of our coastal communities that rely on tourism."

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