Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act

The Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create a voluntary program that encourages large ships to slow down to reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and risks to whales. Ships that are 300 gross tons or larger and operate in designated areas along the U.S. Pacific coast can participate by voluntarily limiting their speed to 10 knots or lower. In exchange for verified compliance, eligible vessel owners may receive annual Excellence Awards and display an official logo on their vessels to show their commitment to the program. The legislation explicitly states that joining the program is optional, provides no financial incentives, and does not compromise navigation safety. Additionally, the bill requires officials to review the possibility of expanding the program to cover all shipping channels along the Pacific coast within four years.