Biden Administration Approves New Rules to Reduce Ship Pollution at California Ports
In an effort to combat air pollution and protect public health, the Biden administration has recently given the green light to new regulations aimed at reducing pollution emitted by large ships when they are docked at ports along California’s coastline. While this move has been hailed by environmentalists and public health organizations, it has faced opposition from the oil industry.
The massive ships, which can exceed 800 feet in length and 100 feet in width, emit harmful soot from their diesel engines and boilers while at the dock, often for extended periods of time. This pollution poses a significant risk to communities in waterfront cities such as Oakland, Richmond, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Diego, leading to an increased prevalence of respiratory issues, heart attacks, and other health problems.
California has been at the forefront of addressing this issue since 2007 when it mandated that large cargo and cruise ships plug into the local power grid to access electricity upon arrival at ports. This practice prevents engines and boilers from idling, thereby reducing air pollution. The newly approved rules, which were sanctioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and officially published in the Federal Register, expand these requirements to include oil tankers, chemical tankers, and car-carrying ships. The implementation of these rules will occur gradually, with full compliance expected by January 1, 2027.
The California Air Resources Board revealed that tankers and car carriers are responsible for 56% of all particulate pollution emitted by ships at berth in California. According to the board’s estimations, these new regulations, which were passed in 2020, will save 237 lives and generate $2.3 billion in public health savings by 2032.
Bill Magavern, the policy director at the Coalition for Clean Air, an environmental group with offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles, expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating, Pollution from ocean-going vessels is causing poisonous air for people living near the ports and is increasing regional smog. This rule will help people in port communities and in California coastal regions breathe healthier air.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated air pollution in port cities as numerous ships became stranded at ports due to logistical challenges. The shipping industry, however, voiced its opposition to the new rules. Their main objection lies in the calculation of emissions. Under the original regulation, companies were required to reduce total emissions from their shipping fleets at the dock by 50% from 2007 levels by 2014, followed by 70% by 2017 and 80% by 2020. However, the new rules mandate a 90% reduction for each individual ship, rather than an average reduction across the entire fleet. Mike Jacob, the vice president of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, an industry group based in Oakland, argued, We already are under an existing rule. We think the way it occurs right now is better. We have invested over $1.5 billion in shore-power infrastructure. We felt going through another process for determining whether or not you are compliant was like ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’
In conclusion, the approval of new rules by the Biden administration to curtail ship pollution at California ports has been hailed as a significant step towards cleaner air and improved public health. While environmentalists and public health organizations support these regulations, the oil industry and shipping companies have expressed their concerns about the methodology used to calculate emissions reductions. As these rules are phased in over the next few years, they are expected to make a considerable impact on reducing pollution and protecting the well-being of communities in port cities across California.
