House Votes to Block California's Ship Emissions Rules, Sparking Federal-State Clash
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to overturn California’s stringent at-berth emissions regulations for oceangoing ships. Lawmakers passed H.J. Res. 210 by a vote of 216 to 211, aiming to rescind the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authorization that permits California to enforce its 2020 At-Berth Regulation. These rules mandate that vessels calling at regulated California terminals control emissions throughout their port stay, typically by connecting to shoreside electricity or using alternative emissions-control systems. The regulations have covered container, reefer, and cruise ships since 2023, with roro vessels and tankers at Los Angeles and Long Beach to be included from 2025. Republican congressman Vince Fong, a proponent of the resolution, argued that California’s requirements impose costs beyond the state due to the volume of cargo passing through its ports, potentially leading to increased prices and supply chain disruptions. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the House's...
