EPA: Approve life-saving protections and safeguard California’s health and 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. 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.)
Sign the petition to urge the U.S. EPA to approve California’s request for these lifesaving protections!
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.
You can help pressure the EPA to authorize this important life-saving rule by signing the petition to U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
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.
