The Environmental Protection Agency has announced the finalization of national discharge standards to control the release of pollutants and invasive species from approximately 85k vessels operating in U.S. waters. These standards, issued through EPA’s Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance final rule, address discharges that occur with normal operation of large vessels. EPA’s final rule addresses pollutants, bacteria, pathogens, oil, grease, and metals and aims to reduce the spread of invasive species. EPA’s new standards will not be implemented for up to two years while the Coast Guard develops and issues corresponding regulations.