Republican lawmakers have introduced resolutions in Congress seeking to overturn federal waivers that allow California to enforce two major shipping
Republican lawmakers have introduced resolutions in Congress seeking to overturn federal waivers that allow California to enforce two major shipping emissions regulations.
Filed on August 6 under the Congressional Review Act, the measures target waivers covering California’s Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth and Commercial Harbor Craft rules.
The moves challenge the Environmental Protection Agency’s treatment of the Clean Air Act waivers and could affect California’s authority to enforce emissions standards on ships and harbor craft.
According to Pacific Environment, the At Berth regulation provides long-term regulatory certainty to the shipping industry, and is not a fly-by night regulation. To protect public health, reduce air pollution and meet the requirements of the federal Clean Air Act, California has been regulating emissions from ships docked at port through the At-Berth Regulation since 2007.
The regulations were updated in 2020 following an extensive public review, with compliance requirements phased in over more than a decade according to vessel type and location. The first requirements took effect in 2014, with the final provisions scheduled to become enforceable in 2027.
Ports, terminal operators, vessel owners, utilities and equipment manufacturers have since invested significant time and capital to meet the standards. Reversing the waivers at this stage, Pacific Environment argues, would create regulatory uncertainty, undermine those investments and penalize businesses that have planned around the existing framework.
The At Berth and Commercial Harbor Craft regulations also save costs and lives. The 2020 At-Berth Regulation will reduce potential cancer risk for California’s portside communities by about 60%. According to California Air Resources Board (CARB)’s initial analysis, the amended regulation will save 230 lives and prevent 73 hospital admissions and 116 emergency room visits statewide.
…Pacific Environment highlighted.
Furthermore, according to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Commercial Harbor Craft Rule could prevent an estimated 530 deaths and reduce exposure to elevated air pollution levels for 9.7 million Californians.
Transitioning these vessels to zero-emission technologies will improve public health, while supporting innovation, creating market opportunities, creating jobs and strengthening California’s leadership in the clean maritime economy.
While the U.S. wants to lead the shipbuilding industry, Congress is undercutting the competitiveness of the industry by overturning California’s clean shipping wavers. This congressional attack on California’s At Berth and Commercial Harbor Craft waivers undercuts longstanding investments already made in cleaner vessels, port infrastructure and maritime innovations. […]
…said Davina Hurt, Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment.
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