Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act

This bill adds fuel used by large ocean ships to the list of fuels that can earn renewable fuel credits under the Clean Air Act’s renewable fuel program. In simple terms, if ships use renewable or lower-carbon fuels instead of fossil fuels, those fuels could now count for credits—similar to how home heating oil and jet fuel are treated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must write rules to put this change into action within a year, and then report back on how it’s going after the rules are final .

Key points

• Who is affected: Fuel producers, shipping companies, and ports that supply fuel to ocean-going vessels .
• What changes: Fuel for ocean-going vessels can generate renewable fuel credits, encouraging the use of cleaner ship fuels .
• When: EPA must issue rules within 1 year of the law taking effect; the new credit option starts in the second calendar year after the law is enacted. The EPA must send a progress report to Congress 1 year after finalizing the rules .