Tell the EPA: Approve life-saving protections to safeguard California’s health & air quality today!
Michael S. Regan, U.S. EPA Administrator
In a victory for people and climate, the California Air Resources Board amended the Commercial Harbor Craft Rule in 2022, setting the first zero-emissions mandate for ferries in the U.S and requiring cleaner engine upgrades for tugboats and other regulated vessels. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to approve these lifesaving amendments. (Under the Clean Air Act, the state of California must get approval from EPA in order to enforce any regulation related to emission control from nonroad vehicles such as boats.)
Harbor craft vessels such as ferries, tugboats and barges cause serious health issues like asthma, lung disease, cancer and decreased life expectancy and are one of the largest sources of cancer-causing emissions at the ports. San Pedro Bay port-adjacent communities — predominantly working-class Black and Brown people — experience higher rates of breathing problems, health and respiratory diseases and shorter life expectancies than the Los Angeles County average.
Right now, the California Air Resources Board is seeking U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authorization for the lifesaving Commercial Harbor Craft Rule to protect the health of Californians and improve air quality.
Sign the petition by February 14th to urge the U.S. EPA to approve California's request for these lifesaving protections!
Reigning in harbor craft pollution isn’t just about air quality — approving these updated clean air regulations can save lives. The California Air Resources Board estimates that the updated Commercial Harbor Craft Rule will save more than 531 lives, save $5.25 billion in public health care costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 415,000 metric tons over 15 years.
Sign the petition today to stand up for the health of California’s port-adjacent communities and improved air quality for all!Sponsored by
To:
Michael S. Regan, U.S. EPA Administrator
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Administrator Regan,
I am writing to urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to authorize California’s lifesaving Commercial Harbor Craft Rule to protect the health of Californians and improve air quality.
In a victory for people and climate, the California Air Resources Board amended the Commercial Harbor Craft Rule in 2022, setting the first zero-emissions mandate for ferries in the U.S and requiring cleaner engine upgrades for tugboats and other regulated vessels. However, the U.S. EPA has yet to approve these lifesaving amendments.
Fossil-fueled harbor craft boats — like tugboats, ferries and barges — are major drivers of air pollution near seaports. In fact, harbor craft vessels contributed more diesel particulate matter emissions than trucks in 2023 at San Pedro Bay Ports.
These boats cause serious health issues like asthma, lung disease, cancer and decreased life expectancy and are one of the largest sources of cancer-causing emissions at the ports. San Pedro Bay port-adjacent communities – predominantly working-class Black and Brown people — experience higher rates of breathing problems, health and respiratory diseases and shorter life expectancies than the Los Angeles County average.
Right now, the California Air Resources Board is seeking U.S. Environmental Protection Agency authorization for the lifesaving Commercial Harbor Craft Rule.
Reigning in harbor craft pollution isn’t just about air quality — approving these updated clean air regulations can save lives. The California Air Resources Board estimates that the updated Commercial Harbor Craft Rule will save more than 531 lives, save $5.25 billion in public health care costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 415,000 metric tons over a 2023-2038 time period.
The technology already exists to decarbonize harbor craft vessels, including green hydrogen and electrification. Companies have launched projects deploying clean shipping technologies, including SWITCH Maritime’s hydrogen-fueled ferry and Crowley’s first ever zero-emission tugboat in the U.S. The market for zero-emission shipping technologies is growing and remains supported by clean energy policies and regulations such as California’s Harbor Craft Rule.
I strongly urge you to issue the authorization for the Commercial Harbor Craft Rule today for the health of California’s port-adjacent communities and improved air quality for all!
Thank you.