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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2004

For More Information, Contact:
Daryl Savage at (650) 688-6384

GOVERNOR SIGNS LANDMARK CRUISE SHIP BILLS

PALO ALTO - Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bills 471 and 2672 this week, authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D - Palo Alto). AB 471 prohibits cruise ships from incinerating garbage within three miles of the coastline. AB 2672 bans the release of sewage into state waters. The bills will go into effect on January 1, 2005.

The cruise line industry expressed significant opposition to the two bills during the legislative process, and opposed AB 2672 right up until the time the bill was signed.

“With these bills, we’re making great progress on protecting our environment from cruise ship pollution,” said Teri Shore, campaign director for the San Francisco-based Bluewater Network, which sponsored the legislation.

Simitian’s AB 471 and AB 2672 build on a legislative success he had last year with the passage of AB 121, a bill that prohibits cruise ships from discharging sewage sludge and oily bilge into California waters and national marine sanctuaries along the state’s coast. AB 121 made California the first state in the nation to ban cruise ship dumping as a matter of state law.

“I’m pleased that the Governor signed the bills,” said Simitian. “Even as the cruise industry grows, it won’t be at the expense of our air and water quality.”

 

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