Have you noticed how many federal responsibilities are being taken on by governors and state legislatures? We see it on energy conservation and climate change in several states. Now we’re seeing it in Oregon on the topic of shipbreaking.

Derelict ships are a burden which the federal government won’t reckon with. Thus, communities in coastal states are presented with the stark reality of this dangerous industry.

Astoria has been there. On two occasions over the past 10 years, companies have proposed to dismantle ships on the Astoria waterfront. In one proposal, an aircraft carrier would have been torn apart at Port of Astoria docks, near the heart of town.

Old ships are full of contaminants such as asbestos and PCBs. The work is quite dangerous and some firms have spotty safety records. After the Baltimore Sun exposed elements of the industry in a 1997 series, Maryland’s Sen. Barbara Mikulski wrote legislation to tighten up U.S. policy.

There should be a federal policy and sealed facilities for shipbreaking. Because there is no such facility or plan, shipbreakers wander the coastal states looking for ports that would take on the risk in return for the revenue.

Coos Bay has gone through the community torture of considering shipbreaking. It eventually decided that the proposal contained too many environmental drawbacks.

The bill to tighten shipbreaking comes from Oregon legislators representing Astoria and Coos Bay. State Sen. Betsy Johnson and Rep. Joanne Verger of Coos Bay have submitted a bill that would require shipbreaking be done in fully contained dry docks.

The Johnson-Verger Bill deserves urgent consideration. By passing this legislation, Oregon would prod Congress to set some national standards and build a facility.