Bill > AB14

This bill establishes the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program to reduce air pollution, protect marine mammals, and support the maritime industry along the California coast. The program, which builds upon a successful existing voluntary initiative, requires the Ocean Protection Council to participate as an advisory stakeholder in expanding a vessel speed reduction effort. Specifically, the bill aims to encourage oceangoing vessels (300 gross tons or larger) to travel at speeds of 10 knots or less in designated coastal zones to minimize harmful environmental impacts. The program's components include marketing outreach to cargo owners, data collection on ship speeds and marine impacts, incentives for participants based on reduced-speed travel, and the development of speed reduction zones that consider factors like marine mammal migration seasons and navigational safety. The air pollution control districts and air quality management districts along the coast will be responsible for implementing the program and must submit a report to the Legislature by December 31, 2029, detailing the program's implementation. The bill highlights the significant environmental and public health benefits of the existing program, which has already achieved substantial reductions in nitrogen oxides, greenhouse gas emissions, and diesel particulate matter, while also reducing the risk of whale strikes during migration seasons.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB14