SACRAMENTO, CA – The following statement was issued by Carrie Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s Shipping Emissions Analyst, in response to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) rolling back air pollution regulations for ships at-berth:

“This is a huge step back for California’s clean air, the health and safety of people living in port adjacent communities, and for our climate. CARB itself estimated that between 2021 and 2032, the 2020 update to the at-berth policy it rolled back would save 237 lives, yield $2.31 billion in public health benefits, reduce NOx emissions by 17,500 tons and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 356,000 metric tons. CARB has a responsibility to protect the public from the harmful effects of air pollution and develop programs and actions to fight climate change. Delaying the implementation of the at-berth rule does the opposite. We urge Governor Newsom and CARB to act now to eliminate ship emissions for the health and safety of port communities, and for our climate.”

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Carrie Bonfield is available for interviews upon request.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

• The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Ocean-Going Vessel (OGV) At-Berth Regulation in 2007 to regulate pollution that ships emit while docked at port. In 2020, CARB adopted an update to the 2007 regulation to further address environmental and public health concerns from at-berth air pollution. The expanded regulation includes additional vessel types and visits (auto carriers and tankers), as well as new ports and terminals, requiring regulated vessels to either plug into shore power while at-berth or use an alternative CARB-approved emissions control technology to reduce emissions of NOx and diesel particulate matter at berth. Since compliance requirements began in 2014, the regulation has decreased regulated pollution from ocean-going vessels by 80%, protecting millions of Californians from asthma, cancer and other public health risks.

About Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.