Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the EPA granted a waiver for the Commercial Harbor Craft Standards, which requires harbor craft operators in California to switch to zero-emission boats, cleaning up pollution in the State’s ports.
Pollution from boats spewing toxic diesel exhaust harms residents who live in communities near harbors. After years of advocacy, California passed the Commercial Harbor Craft regulation to clean up this pollution by mandating that operators across the state switch to zero-emissions boats, from tug boats to ferries.
In response to the EPA granting the Commercial Harbor Craft waiver, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Senior Campaign Advisor Yassi Kavezade issued the following statement:
“California is home to our nation’s busiest ports, making this approval from EPA a critical step forward in cleaning up pollution from boats. Every day, boats spew toxic diesel exhaust and harm communities near these harbors; shockingly, harbor boats are a major source of cancer for Californians living near the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego, and Oakland. The Commercial Harbor Craft regulation is a science-based standard that will protect our communities, advance environmental justice, fight pollution in our skies and waters, unlock clean energy investments, and create green jobs.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.