House tees up Senate fight over California’s At Berth clean-air shipping waiver
The House of Representatives voted on California’s Ocean-Going Vessels At Berth waiver yesterday. House Joint Resolution 210 attacking the Ocean-Going Vessels At Berth waiver sponsored by Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA-20) passed 216-211. “At a time when the U.S. wants to lead the shipbuilding industry, Congress has just voted to kill American competitiveness of the industry ...
Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted on California's Ocean-Going Vessels At Berth waiver. Rep. Vince Fong's House Joint Resolution 210, which opposes the waiver, received 216 votes in favor and 211 against. Rep. Fong argued that the vote undermines American competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry by nullifying California's clean shipping waivers.
He warned that the decision could render investments in cleaner vessels, port infrastructure, and maritime innovations obsolete, turning them into "stranded assets." Teresa Bui, Senior Climate Campaign Director at Pacific Environment, called for the Senate to support the waiver to safeguard community health, state's rights, and America's competitiveness in the global economy.
The Clean Air Act waivers, established over several administrations, are not considered rules. A recent federal court ruling in Washington, D.C., granted California an injunction on four Clean Air Act waivers and approved California's request to include the At-Berth and Commercial Harbor Craft authorizations in the litigation. As the maritime authorizations were transmitted to Congress after their approval, both parties are seeking a court ruling on their status, causing Congress to move ahead with votes on the maritime resolutions while the court continues to assess their legal standing.
The At-Berth waiver, in effect since 2007, mandates ships to connect to shore power or employ equivalent emission controls while docked, cutting harmful pollution by up to 90% and cancer risks by 55% at ports. Ports across America, investing heavily in shore power, cleaner engines, and alternative fuel systems, have collectively spent over $550 million on electrification and zero-emissions technologies, particularly at the Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Diego.
Internationally, China and Europe have already implemented similar measures and are investing in cleaner ports, vessels, and maritime technologies.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
