Comment Log Display

Dear Chair Randolph and Members of the Board, 

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. Battery-electric boats are already in
production, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vessels are being
designed that support longer ranges and durations than
battery-electric systems.

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. Commensurately provide funding for zero-emissions vessel
construction and operations, so that early adopters can compete on
a level fiscal playing field with dirty diesel vessels.

3. 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 

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.