First Name | Alexander |
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Last Name | Andriatis |
Email Address | aandriat@ucsd.edu |
Affiliation | UC San Diego |
Subject | Letter of Support for Proposed Amendments from UC San Diego Students |
Comment | Dear Chair Randolph and Members of the California Air Resources Board, As students studying the ocean and the many ways in which our society benefits from it, we are acutely aware of the negative impacts of polluting ships. We personally spend time collecting air and water samples up and down the California coast, studying the ecology of harbors and estuaries, and measuring the effects of sea level rise in coastal communities. During our research, we breathe the pollutants emitted by diesel ship engines that is a leading cause of cancer among portside communities. We measure the oils and toxic chemicals in our coastal waters resulting from a continued reliance on petroleum fuels. We see the flooding already occurring in low-lying communities and model the severe economic and social impacts that continued carbon dioxide emissions and climate change will have on Californians in the coming decades. We are submitting this letter of support for the proposed amendments to the Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation, and to advocate for a greater emphasis on supporting the infrastructure necessary to transition to fully zero-emission harbor craft and shoreside operations. Commercially-available technology already exists to build and operate zero-emission commercial harbor craft. Electricity from batteries or hydrogen fuel cells combined with electric propulsion systems can meet the operational requirements for all types of commercial littoral and harbor vessels. Scripps Institution of Oceanography continues to lead by example through its hydrogen-hybrid coastal research vessel project and goal of building clean, non-polluting shipboard power systems. Currently, a major factor inhibiting the adoption of these technologies is the lack of shoreside infrastructure that would support the charging and fueling of these vessels. To maximize the co-benefits of particulate emissions reductions and greenhouse gas emission reductions, the source of electricity for batteries and hydrogen for fuel cells will need to be derived from renewable energy sources. Requiring the development of charging and fueling infrastructure and subsidizing the costs of green hydrogen and renewable electricity will greatly increase the adoption of zero-emission vessel technologies. California has historically been a national leader in addressing issues related to health, environmental pollution, and climate change. We are calling on the California Air Resources Board to continue being bold climate leaders. Accelerating the transition to zero-emission ships will improve air quality and health in coastal communities, reduce the impact of shipping on climate change, and bring the state of California closer to meeting its carbon reduction goals. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. Students for Electrified and Sustainable Ships at Scripps Institution of Oceanography |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2021-11-15 18:16:01 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.