
For the most current program information, see Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies.
This page and the additional webpage links below contain background information prior to the 2020 VSR Program.
Webpage Links: Previous Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Programs | Local Studies & Actions | Initiatives | 2007 Retrofit Project
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.
2018 VSR Recognition Ceremony
In March 2019, the partners recognized the twelve participating shipping companies at a ceremony for the 2018 VSR program. The ceremony was held at Bannings Landing near the Port of Los Angeles. See news release here.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) accepting their award with program partners (left to right): Chris Mobley (NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary), Lisa Volgenau (Volgenau Foundation), Dan Howard (NOAA Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary), Stanley Kwiaton (MSC), Valerian Riviere (MSC), Mike Villegas (Ventura County APCD), David Pollock (Board Member for VCAPCD), Molly Pearson (Santa Barbara County APCD), Michael Murphy (Bay Area AQMD)
Twelve shipping companies participated in the 2018 Vessel Speed Reduction incentive program, and were recognized at a March 6 event. Pictured are representatives from the shipping companies along with program partners. Shipping companies include: MSC, GALI, K-Line, NYK Ro-Ro, Hyundai Glovis, COSCO, Evergreen, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, CMA-CGM, ONE, and Yang Ming.
2017 VSR Recognition Ceremony
In March 2018, the partners recognized the eleven participating shipping companies at a ceremony for the 2017 VSR program. The ceremony was held at Bannings Landing near the Port of Los Angeles. See news release here.
Partner agencies and organizations: Lisa Fasano (BAAQMD), Jack Broadbent (BAAQMD), Mary Byrd (SBCAPCD), Mike Villegas (VCAPCD), Aeron Arlin Genet (SBCAPCD), Kris Sarri (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation), U.S. Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), William Douros (NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries), Lisa Volgenau (Volgenau Foundation), Tyler Harris (VCAPCD), Chris Mobley (CINMS), Michael Murphy (BAAQMD)
2016 VSR Recognition Ceremony
In January 2017, the partners recognized the ten participating shipping companies at a ceremony for the 2016 VSR program. The ceremony was held at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council. See news release here.
Recognition ceremony sponsors and participants (left to right): Steven D. Gaines (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Trustee, and Dean for UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science & Management), Jessica Morten (CINMS), Chris Mobley (CINMS), Sean Hastings (CINMS), CT Chen (Evergreen Line), Mary Byrd (SBCAPCD), Tyler Harris (Ventura County APCD), Ignacio Rodriguez (K Line), Mike Villegas (VCAPCD), Roderick A. Wagoner (MOL America), Aeron Arlin Genet (SBCAPCD), Eduardo A. Cestafe (Hapag Lloyd), Lisa Volgenau (Volgenau Foundation), Lyz Hoffman (SBCAPCD), Rose Muller (Starcrest LLC), Naomi Kovacs (representing Santa Barbara County Supervisor Janet Wolf), Lauren Volgenau Knapp (Volgenau Foundation)
2014 Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Forum
This free forum was sponsored by Santa Barbara County APCD, NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the Environmental Defense Center, and the UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management.
- Agenda
- Presentation by Wayne Miller of University of California at Riverside on research showing emission-reduction benefits of ship speed reduction.
- “In-use Emissions Test Program at VSR Speeds for Oceangoing Container Ship“
Speakers and participants in the forum (left to right): Brad Winney (Conserve.IO, Whale Alert developer), Linda Parks (Ventura County 2nd District Supervisor), Mike Villegas (Ventura County APCD), Dave Van Mullem (Santa Barbara County APCD), Brian Shafritz (SBCAPCD), Sean Herron (CINMS), Kristi Birney (Environmental Defense Center), Wayne Miller (UC Riverside), Sean Hastings (CINMS), TL Garrett (Pacific Merchant Shipping Association), Steve Gaines (UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science and Management), Elgin Pallay (Maersk Line), Sharyn Main (Santa Barbara Foundation), Mary Byrd (SBCAPCD), Mike Murray (CINMS).
Additional Information
- The District’s Board receives updates periodically on the program, see:
- March 2019 Presentation on the 2018 VSR results
- March 2018 Presentation on the 2017 VSR results
- January 2017 Presentation on the 2016 VSR results
- August 2016 Presentation on the Clean Air Excellence Award
- March 2016 Presentation to create the 2016 VSR program
- Blue Whales & Blue Skies Act, introduced in U.S. Congress Sept. 6, 2017, and our news release announcing its introduction. Although this bill wasn’t finalized, it laid the groundwork for more recent legislation, such as SB 69 – Ocean Resiliency Act of 2019.
- Blue Whales & Blue Skies Media Clips from 2015
- In 2015 and 2016, the District was a client for a group project by Masters Students at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. The group presented findings of its study, titled “The Value of Non-Market Goods: Whale Conservation and Human Health Benefits from Vessel Speed Reduction in the Santa Barbara Channel,” in April 2016. For more information see the project website.
District Contacts
For more information, contact the District Public Information Officer, Lyz Hoffman