Commercial Harbor Craft
Since the original adoption of the Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) regulation in 2008, and its amendment in 2010, CHC vessel owners have replaced older engines with newer and cleaner engines, which reduced the emissions of air pollutants including diesel particulate matter (DPM), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulfur (SOx), reactive organic gases (ROG), and greenhouse gases (GHG). In 2022, a new set of amendments were adopted to expand the applicability of the regulation to more vessel types and require cleaner upgrades and newer technology. The 2022 Amendments provide significant health benefits, avoid premature death and mortality, and protect workers and on-vessel passengers from exposure to diesel and other combustion-generated air pollutants. The 2022 Amendments went into effect on January 1, 2023.
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EPA Action on the 2022 Amendments to the CHC Regulation (updated 1/22/2025)
On January 6, 2025, U.S. EPA granted California Clean Air Authorization of most elements of its Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) Regulation. In its action, U.S. EPA did not take action on two elements of the CHC Regulation for in-use engines and vessels: a) the zero-emission and advanced technologies (ZEAT) standards for in-use short-run ferries and b) the emissions “standards for in-use engines and vessels (excluding commercial fishing vessels) that would apply after the expiration of the feasibility extensions” specifically for the Feasibility Extension E3. CARB has withdrawn its request for those two elements of the CHC Regulation and is evaluating next steps. CARB is not enforcing the portions of the CHC Regulation that were not granted authorization. As CARB evaluates the EPA action, any resulting implementation changes will be posted here.
