At its public hearing on December 6, 2007, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a regulation to reduce emissions from diesel auxiliary engines on ocean-going vessels while at berth. The regulation will require operators of vessels meeting specified criteria to turn off their auxiliary engines for most of their stay in port or, alternatively, to demonstrate specific fleet-wide emission reductions.

The approved regulation is subject to certain modifications that were suggested by staff at the Board hearing. On February 22, 2008, CARB met with the affected industry, the ports, and other interested stakeholders to discuss the modified regulation. Stakeholders will have 15 days to submit comments on the modified language.

CARB has also invited interested parties to participate in a public workshop to discuss the development of regulations for ocean-going vessel main engines and auxiliary boilers. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss staff’s proposed regulation for using cleaner fuels in the main engines and auxiliary boilers. The public workshop will be held on March 5, 2008.

Meanwhile, CARB is considering additional programs to reduce emissions from other port-related sources, such as drayage trucks, commercial harbor craft, and cargo handling equipment. On December 7, CARB approved a regulation, subject to certain modifications, that will impose new emission standards for heavy-duty trucks in California ports and intermodal rail yards, as well as many other locations. The regulation will complement local actions to reduce heavy-duty truck emissions at California ports. In particular, on February 19, 2008, the Long Beach Harbor Commission approved key elements of its strategy to replace and modernize its entire port trucking fleet within four years.

For further information about this topic, please contact Akin Gump.