Rolling back emissions regulations for shipping would harm public health. By championing the removal of California’s at-berth and commercial harbor craft regulations in “The Save America From California Act” (Review & Outlook, Sept. 28), the Journal’s editorial board overlooks the negative effects that rolling back these standards will have.
These regulations aren’t new and have been protecting the health of port communities for almost 20 years. According to estimates from the California Air Resources Board, implementing the updated regulations would cut cancer risk near major California ports by more than 55%, reduce cancer-causing pollution by 89% and save over $7 billion in healthcare costs, all by 2038.
Since businesses began complying with the standards in 2014, the at-berth regulation has reduced emissions from regulated vessels by 80%. In 2025, CARB reported more than 95% compliance statewide for regulated vessels, evidence that technology is available and ships won’t be stuck with fines.
Marine vessels such as ferries and cargo ships aren’t mass manufactured like cars. They are made to order to the specifications of the customer. What California orders won’t affect other states. Rolling back these regulations isn’t a win for ports and the shipping industry, which made good-faith investments in technologies that are now under attack.
The oil and gas industry is celebrating the potential rollback. But ending these common-sense measures won’t make gas cheaper at the pump or groceries less expensive. Based on current fuel prices, it is between 38% to 45% cheaper for ships to plug into electric shore power than to run their engines while docked. We urge senators to vote no on any measure that would terminate California’s ability to enact regulations that protect public health.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing