Volatile Organic Compunds

• The EPA has mandated that it is illegal to load any "organic liquid" cargo onto a barge without using the best available technology to mitigate the release of volatile compounds into the air. These organic liquids can give off varying levels of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds.) Compounds of this nature have damaging effects on the environment, including the ozone layer of the atmosphere. The EPA has regulatory powers over any substance that can emit VOC's.
  
  

Gasoline

• The unloading of gasoline products that are moved by barge from a refinery to a urban storage facility is a major source of what the EPA refers to as "Uncontrolled Emissions." The EPA mandates the use of "vapor-control systems" by releasing regulatory guidelines to state governments, rather than by direct mandate. These systems can reduce emissions from anywhere between 70 to 99 percent. According to a report by the EPA, these barges can release up to 480 tons of hydrocarbons annually.
  
  

Other Organic Liquids

• The EPA also has regulatory oversight over the storage of all organic liquids while in transit. Refrigeration, one of the systems used for gasoline unloading is also used for all organic liquid storage. The EPA mandates that this system is in use on all ships and barges carrying organic liquids while in United States territorial waters. While other regulations do exist for these types of liquids, most are not specific to barges.
  
  

Authority over local law

• When Congress passes a law relating to the environment, the EPA gains the authority to create regulations that indicate how those laws are to be followed. They also have the authority to enforce those laws. Additionally, federal standards supersede state and municipality regulations. However, the primary enforcement tool is for local government to pass laws that mirror EPA regulation. Finally, the EPA has no authority over matters that do not relate to their organizational mandate.
  
  

The Coast Guard

• The majority of rules and regulations for barges in the United States are handed down by the United States Coast Guard, who has authority to enforce all acts of congress concerning territorial waters. Additionally, the Coast Guard cooperates with the EPA on the enforcement of environmental law. The EPA specifically writes regulations in a way that does not step on the Coast Guard's jurisdictional toes.