Comment Log Display

Dear Chair Randolph and Members of the California Air Resources
Board, 

As students studying the ocean and the many ways in which our
society benefits from it, we are acutely aware of the negative
impacts of polluting ships. We personally spend time collecting air
and water samples up and down the California coast, studying the
ecology of harbors and estuaries, and measuring the effects of sea
level rise in coastal communities. During our research, we breathe
the pollutants emitted by diesel ship engines that is a leading
cause of cancer among portside communities. We measure the oils and
toxic chemicals in our coastal waters resulting from a continued
reliance on petroleum fuels. We see the flooding already occurring
in low-lying communities and model the severe economic and social
impacts that continued carbon dioxide emissions and climate change
will have on Californians in the coming decades. 

We are submitting this letter of support for the proposed
amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation, and to
advocate for a greater emphasis on supporting the infrastructure
necessary to transition to fully zero-emission harbor craft and
shoreside operations. Commercially-available technology already
exists to build and operate zero-emission commercial harbor craft.
Electricity from batteries or hydrogen fuel cells combined with
electric propulsion systems can meet the operational requirements
for all types of commercial littoral and harbor vessels. Scripps
Institution of Oceanography continues to lead by example through
its hydrogen-hybrid coastal research vessel project and goal of
building clean, non-polluting shipboard power systems. 

Currently, a major factor inhibiting the adoption of these
technologies is the lack of shoreside infrastructure that would
support the charging and fueling of these vessels. To maximize the
co-benefits of particulate emissions reductions and greenhouse gas
emission reductions, the source of electricity for batteries and
hydrogen for fuel cells will need to be derived from renewable
energy sources. Requiring the development of charging and fueling
infrastructure and subsidizing the costs of green hydrogen and
renewable electricity will greatly increase the adoption of
zero-emission vessel technologies.

California has historically been a national leader in addressing
issues related to health, environmental pollution, and climate
change. We are calling on the California Air Resources Board to
continue being bold climate leaders.  Accelerating the transition
to zero-emission ships will improve air quality and health in
coastal communities, reduce the impact of shipping on climate
change, and bring the state of California closer to meeting its
carbon reduction goals.  

Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

Students for Electrified and Sustainable Ships at Scripps
Institution of Oceanography