Several companies in Oregon have attempted to set up shipbreaking operations, particularly in Coos Bay/North Bend and in Newport.
The environmental regulations (and opposition, due to environmental concerns) shot these proposals down. The companies would be required to do the work in drydocks, with full environmental containment systems, using trained hazardous materials workers in full protective suits. And of course, they're making $20-30 an hour plus benefits, only working eight hours a day (figure more like six hours actual work, when you account for suit up/suit down, breaks and so on...)
When you beach a ship on the shores of India or wherever else in the southeast of Asia, it's simple - find a beach (don't dare do this in Oregon), send the ship at high speed into the beach and ground it...then just scrap it. Oil spills? No big deal. Asbestos? Egh. What kind of metal dust is that? Who knows, who cares.