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Statement by Captain Charles D. Connor, U.S. Navy (Ret.), American Lung Association President and CEO:

"The American Lung Association applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for advancing federal government efforts to protect the millions of people affected by dangerous air pollution generated by ocean-going vessels.

"EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has signed a notice of proposed rulemaking to put into place procedures for an Emissions Control Area that will require foreign-flagged ships within American waters to greatly reduce the volume of air pollution they produce. The pollution from these vessels jeopardizes the health and the lives of people living thousands of miles inland. The Administrator’s action today brings the United States one critical step closer to gaining the authority of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enforce the cleanup of shipping pollution.

"In my career as a U.S. Navy Captain, I saw firsthand the staggering amounts of pollution that cruise ships, container ships, tankers and other ocean-going vessels released into the atmosphere. These ships dock at over 100 ports along our coastline and along navigable waterways far inland. Their smog-and soot-forming emissions threaten the health of those living far from our nation’s maritime ports. By comparison, the U.S. Navy has made great strides to comply with the United States’ emission standards during normal operations.

"Air pollution sends people with lung disease to the hospital, shapes how children’s lungs develop, causes heart attacks and can even kill. Fighting for healthy air remains the highest priority of the American Lung Association.

"Children, seniors, those with lung disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes will benefit most of all because they face the greatest risk from these dangerous pollutants. The American Lung Association looks forward to the cleaner air that will come because of the journey undertaken with the full support of the EPA."