Background

Large ships are responsible for substantial amounts of worldwide emissions of black carbon, nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter, sulfur, air toxics, and greenhouse gases. Shipping emissions have been included in District emission inventories since 1994, and the District has been working to raise awareness and calling for voluntary and regulatory measures to control these emissions. In Santa Barbara County, NOx emissions from ships traveling off our coast are a concern, as NOx emissions are involved in the formation of ozone. A continued focus on reducing marine shipping emissions is important to help the County maintain the health-protective ozone standard.

Reducing ship speeds cuts emissions of NOx and other pollutants, reduces the risk of fatal ship strikes on whales, and reduces underwater acoustic impacts. In 2014, The District and partners launched a Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Trial incentive program, which was modeled after successful programs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  See 2014 VSR Trial Report. The 2014 Trial was followed by a yearlong effort in 2015 by the Marine Shipping Working Group under the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary (CINMS) Advisory Council to develop strategies to further reduce air pollution and protect whales in the region. The 2014-15 efforts of the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies partnership were recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a national Clean Air Excellence Award in 2016.

In its final report to the CINMS Advisory Council, the Working Group expressed unanimous support for a second VSR incentive program. The partners (the District, CINMS, Ventura County APCD, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and Volgenau Foundation), implemented a 2016 VSR Program than ran from July 1, 2016 – November 15, 2016. Due to the continued success of the program, the partners further expanded the VSR incentive program to include the San Francisco Bay Area in 2017 and 2018.