The DEQ and the Commonwealth of Virginia should develop new regulations for cruise ships in Virginia waters including:

(1) Mandate low-sulfur fuel.

(2) Ban Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (open-loop scrubbers),

(3) Require the use of shore power.

(4) Restrict the dumping of graywater, blackwater, and other environmentally detrimental waste products, and

(5) Require incident reporting and independent monitoring to ensure compliance.

These standards are reasonable and would protect human health and the health of marine life along the rivers.