Press Telegram - Rep. Garcia, Sen. Padilla reintroduce bill to end greenhouse emissions from large ships
U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla reintroduced the Clean Shipping Act on Thursday, July 10, setting a path to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from large ships doing business in the U.S. by 2050.
Garcia, D-Long Beach, first introduced the Clean Shipping Act alongside Padilla in 2023 but it failed to pass.
“Our nation’s ports, particularly the Port of Long Beach, are crucial parts of the economy that drive our supply chain at home,” Garcia, the former mayor of Long Beach, said in a written statement. “However, they’re also among the largest sources of pollution in our coastal communities.”
The bill establishes a path to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from large ships that come to U.S. ports, and is designed to protect the health of port communities and address the environmental and climate impacts of shipping pollution. Specifically, the bill would mandate that by 2050, ships must cut all greenhouse gas pollution, and by 2035, they must emit zero emissions while parked at ports. The bill is co-led by U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán, D-San Pedro.
The move was hailed by officials at the Port of Los Angeles.
“Ocean-going vessels are the single most challenging source of port-related emissions in the San Pedro Bay port complex,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, who was traveling abroad, said through a spokesperson. “Through our Clean Air Action Plan, we’ve made great progress reducing emissions from ships but there’s more work to do, particularly with greenhouse gas emissions. We have joined forces with the private sector and ports across the ocean to develop Green Shipping Corridors aimed at decarbonizing vessels. We applaud Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Robert Garcia as they work to create nationwide standards with the goal of eliminating in-port ship emissions.”
The Port of Long Beach did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ports, Garcia said, are some of the largest hubs of pollution in California communities.
“Ship pollution is harmful for the health of people living near ports, and disproportionately affects low-income, working-class neighborhoods and communities of color,” Garcia said. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce a bill that addresses greenhouse gas pollution and creates a path to fully eliminate emissions. We must protect people’s health and stop our climate crisis, while ensuring good-paying jobs for the future.”
The bill, if it becomes law, would direct the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to put into effect regulations by Jan. 1, 2029, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from marine vessels of 400 gross tonnage and above that call on ports in the U.S. by 2050. It would also direct the EPA to require zero in-port emissions from marine vessels by 2035.
Currently, the EPA limits air pollution from ship engines but doesn’t set rules for greenhouse gases.
“California’s ports are the powerhouse of our country’s economy, moving critical freight and providing good-paying jobs, all while leading the nation’s decarbonizing efforts,” Padilla said. “But neighboring communities have been forced to shoulder the brunt of global shipping pollution for too long. Our legislation would strengthen the sustainability of our shipping industry by reducing emissions in maritime transportation while simultaneously protecting coastal communities.
“The health of our communities and our planet requires us to be forward-looking and ambitious,” Padilla added. “We owe future generations nothing less than bold, transformative action.”
Barragán, echoing Garcia, said the bill is critical to protecting the health of port communities.
“I’m proud to reintroduce the Clean Shipping Act because people deserve to breathe clean air, and this bill will help make that a reality,” Barragán said. “Communities near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — many of them communities of color — continue to suffer from toxic air pollution caused by ships.
“This bill sets a clear path to zero-emission shipping,” she added. “It’s a critical step to clean up our air, protect public health, and take on the climate crisis. Port communities have waited long enough; we must act now.”
The global shipping industry accounts for nearly 3% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, and that number is expected to rise if no action is taken. Additionally, almost 40% of Americans live near ports, where people’s health is harmed by air pollution. This especially impacts working-class neighborhoods and communities of color.
The Clean Shipping Act is endorsed by more than 25 organizations, including Breathe Southern California, CleanEarth4Kids.org, Friends of the Earth, Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy and San Pedro & Peninsula Homeowners Coalition, among others.