Jul 24, 2008 11:56 am US/Pacific
Ocean-Going Ships Required To Use Cleaner Fuel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) ―
California air regulators on Thursday approved the nation's toughest rules to reduce harmful emissions from ocean-going ships headed into the state's ports.
The regulations require domestic and foreign cargo ships, tankers and cruise vessels sailing into California waters to use cleaner fuel to power their engines and boilers.
The California fuel mandate comes amid similar international efforts, but air regulators say the 27 million Californians who breathe polluted air from the state's ports can't wait for those rules, which are being crafted to take effect in 2015.
International shipping companies oppose the rules, adopted unanimously by the California Air Resources Board.
They argue the state has no jurisdiction to regulate their operations outside the state's coastal zone.
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