Alabama’s Gee’s Bend Ferry has started operations once again, as it has now been converted from diesel propulsion to the first zero-emission, electric-powered passenger/car ferry in the US. The 15-vehicle and 132-passenger ferry operates on the Alabama River between Camden and Boykin, Alabama.
US Rep. Diana DeGette introduced legislation to reduce the large amounts of methane pollution and waste that are being released into the atmosphere each year by oil and gas producers across the country. The bill would mandate oil and gas producers to capture 85% of all gas produced on public lands within three years of enactment, and 99% of all gas produced on such lands within five years of enactment.
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the Maid of the Mist, which has been navigating the waters of the Lower Niagara River, is preparing to launch the first two new all-electric, zero-emission passenger vessels constructed in the US. The vessels will be launched later this year. The new vessels will be placed into service in mid-September.
The Port of Los Angeles, Toyota, Kenworth, and the California Air Resources Board took the next step towards the future of zero-emission trucking, presenting fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks. The Port of Los Angeles will develop the project in numerous phases, incorporating initiatives in Southern California, the Central Coast Area, and Merced County.
The Port of Long Beach has implemented aggressive goals for zero emissions goods movement. The 2017 Clean Air Action Plan Update set the Port of Long Beach on the path to zero-emission goods movement, with a target of transitioning terminal equipment to zero emissions by 2030 and on-road trucks by 2035.
Trident Seafoods Corporation has agreed to limit emissions of ozone-depleting substances from refrigeration equipment on its ships, under a proposed settlement with the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Justice to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. The company will also pay a $900,000 civil penalty.
The IMO are still in the process of developing a fuel oil non-availability report (FONAR) system in order to assist ships in their Regulation 18 declarations to state parties concerning the steps to be taken when a vessel is found not to be compliant. A final template for this is expected to be submitted to and approved by the IMO in May 2019.
EIA recently published a ‘Short-Term Energy Outlook’, according to which energy-related CO2 emissions rose by 2.8% in 2018 but are expected to decrease in 2019 and 2020. Yet, 2018 is the largest energy related CO2 emissions since 2010. Despite the fact that emissions from petroleum, that commonly account for the majority of total CO2, emissions from natural gas on the other hand rose by 10%, driving the overall increase in 2018.
More ships than ever are switching to landside electricity at the Port of Oakland to cut emissions. According to the Port, 75% of all ships visiting in 2018 used so-called shore power. That was up from 68% the year before. Specifically, 1,543 ships tied up in Oakland during 2018. Of those, 1,157 plugged into the landside grid to power onboard systems.
California Air Resources Board plans to develop more requirements for Commercial Harbor Craft, in order to reduce emissions from Commercial Harbor Craft operated within Regulated California Waters. CARB will propose new requirements for stricter in-use and new vessel requirements for both freight-related and passenger vessels.
