PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is giving lobster boat builders a few more years to meet low emissions standards.
Administrator Andrew Wheeler is expected to make the formal announcement during a visit to Maine on Thursday, the Portland Press Herald reported. The emissions standards became part of the national marine diesel program in 2008, and large lobster boats were expected to begin using new cleaner engines by 2017.
Boat builders will have an extra two to four years to meet the standards, the newspaper reported. Wheeler said in a statement that the reprieve “gives boat builders and operators flexibility to meet EPA standards during the next several years.” He said there aren’t enough of the newer model engines available for all users yet.
The lobster industry faces other challenges including trade hostilities with China and recent bait shortages.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.