Four environmental organizations petitioned for review of the Vessel General Permit (VGP) issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2013. Specifically, the petition for review pertains to the regulations for ballast water discharge from ships and ballast water treatment. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit found that the EPA acted arbitrarily and capriciously in issuing parts of the 2013 VGP, and therefore remanded this matter to the EPA for further proceedings.

HEC has prepared a summary of the court ruling including an explanation of the petitioners arguments, the court rulings, and the potential impacts on the USCG’s ballast water management regulations. Click here to download Petition for Review.