REGULATION & POLICY GREENPORT

Californian climate bill woes

10 years ago

There is an amount of uncertainty surrounding a new climate bill which will affect US Californian ports and how this will affect them competitively.

Californian ports are well aware that they need to remain competitive in order to make sure that cargo volumes don’t diminish elsewhere.

But how do they balance the business need with increasing obligations imposed by federal, state, regional and local government?

The new climate bill SB 32 aims to extend the current climate programme to 2030, establish new greenhouse gas emission goals and grant the California Air Resources Board (CARB) expanded authority to require ports to make operational changes to meet new greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Opposers of the Bill say that it fails to specify who will pay for the operational changes and does not address how the increased costs and regulatory mandates will impact port communities, exporters and consumers.

Many argue that if this Bill is approved the California trade sector will be put at even greater competitive disadvantage with other western ports.