Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act

119th Congress Introduced by Salud Carbajal and 1 co-sponsor

NOAA would create the Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program to encourage voluntary vessel speed reductions along the western U.S. coast to cut emissions, noise, and whale strikes.

Introduced in House

Overview

HR 9185 of the 119th Congress would direct the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (a component of NOAA) to establish a Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program. The program aims to reduce air pollution, lower harmful underwater acoustic impacts, and mitigate the risk of fatal vessel-whale strikes along the western coast of the United States by recognizing voluntary vessel speed reductions. The bill lists two named sponsors: Salud Carbajal and Jared Huffman.

Purpose and Intent

Establish a formal program under NOAA to address environmental and wildlife protection goals in the marine and coastal environment.

Encourage voluntary reductions in vessel speeds transiting the western U.S. coast as a mechanism to:

Decrease air pollution (emissions from ships).
Reduce underwater noise that can affect blue whales and other marine life.
Lower the risk of fatal ship strikes involving whales, particularly vulnerable species like blue whales.

Key Provisions and Mechanisms

Creation of a Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program within NOAA’s programs administered by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

Recognition framework for voluntary speed reductions by vessels operating along the western U.S. coast. This implies:

Incentives or formal acknowledgment for ship operators that voluntarily slow down.
Potential performance metrics or reporting related to compliance, though specific metrics are not detailed in the summary.

Aimed outcomes include improved air quality, reduced acoustic disturbance in marine environments, and enhanced protection for blue whales from vessel strikes.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary federal agency: NOAA (Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere) would implement the program.

Vessel operators transiting the western coast would be encouraged to reduce speed voluntarily, potentially benefiting:

Marine wildlife, especially blue whales, through fewer noise impacts and collision risks.
Coastal communities and air quality through reduced emissions from ships.

The bill emphasizes voluntary actions rather than mandatory speed limits, aligning with incentives rather than regulatory mandates.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 8, 2026.

No additional procedural steps, funding authorizations, or regulatory timelines are specified in the available information.

As a newly introduced measure, it would require committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor approval to advance.

Notable Details

Co-sponsors: Salud Carbajal and Jared Huffman.

Jurisdiction: United States; focuses on the western coast of the United States for speed-reduction efforts.

The bill’s core approach is to formalize recognition of voluntary speed reductions as a policy tool to achieve environmental and wildlife protection objectives.

Potential Considerations (Beyond Text)

Effectiveness of voluntary programs versus mandatory speed regulations.

How recognition would be administered (criteria, verification, reporting).

Interaction with existing maritime traffic laws, ballast water, and other environmental measures.

Funding sources and annual budget allocations for NOAA to run the program.