Comment Log Display

 


Dear Chair Randolph and Members of the Board, 
I am a native Southern Californian, and my family and I appreciate
the cleaner air that we have today compared to when I was a kid.
But the increase in marine traffic has started to make the air
worse again, even though we have technology that can improve it!
as you know, the marine and harbor area pollutants blow inland to
impact everyone.


Ships are one of the worst air polluters in California, and harbor
boats are one of the top three cancer risks for Californians living
near the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and Oakland.
California must stop investing in diesel operated harbor boats and
instead invest in clean technologies and jobs. 

The technology exists to transition commercial harbor craft to 100%
clean fleets today. Already, there are over 300 operating
zero-emission ships powered by batteries worldwide, with another
194 on order. 

Given the climate emergency that we are facing, we need bold
climate leadership. I'm asking you to strengthen the Commercial
Harbor Craft rule: 

1. Require a 100% zero-emissions transition for the majority of
harbor boats by 2035, including tugboats and barges, which are
excluded from the current rule 

2. Add language to allow the Board to revisit the rule as the
zero-emissions boat market evolves to ensure the regulation
achieves maximum emission reductions 

3. Increase funding for zero-emissions boat pilots and retrofits to
spur innovation 

This is a critical time to protect the health of port-side
communities, Californian families, and our environment. 

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.