A Los Angeles environmental group has launched a petition calling for more stringent standards on pollution levels for ocean-going vessels mooring in US ports.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has called on the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to address the high volume of shipping traffic that arrives in California and the pollution this causes.

Should the EPA fail to take action in a six-month timeframe of the launch of the petition, the SCAQMD is mulling legal action, Reuters reports.

Barbra Baird, Attorney General of the SCAQMD, said that the organisation is unable protect the 16 million Americans who reside in the US's most populous state from pollution unless the EPA changes standards over ships.

Despite declaring ships a key contributor to pollution 14 years ago, the EPA has thus far failed to take any action to address the problem, Ms Baird said.

News of the SCAQMD's threat comes as California last week announced that it intends to sue after the federal government said the state would not be permitted to impose more rigorous emissions exhaust levels on motor vehicles.

Source:

California agency presses EPA on ship exhaust, 10/10/08

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1022427520080111

California sues EPA over greenhouse gas regulations, 03/01/08

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/business-14/119936305211590.xml&storylist=michigannews


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