FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2024
Contacts:
Lyz Bantilan, APCD Public Information Officer
805-979-8283
See news release (below), issued today by the office of Assemblymember Gregg Hart, regarding the announcement of legislation to establish a statewide “California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies” program.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2024
Contact: Jimmy Wittrock (916) 319-2037 [email protected]
Hart Announces Legislation To Protect Blue Whales and Blue Skies
SACRAMENTO, CA –On Friday, February 23rd, Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) will announce Assembly Bill 2298 at a press conference in Santa Barbara. The legislation will establish a statewide California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program, which will prevent fatal ship strikes on endangered whale populations and reduce harmful air emissions by incentivizing shipping companies to slow their speed along the California Coast. The bill is also authored by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), and Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael).
“The Santa Barbara voluntary vessel speed reduction program is a prime example of what happens when we prioritize public health, protect the marine ecosystem, and showcase the beneficial partnership between shipping companies, public health agencies, marine sanctuaries, and environmental organizations,” said Assemblymember Hart. “Assembly Bill 2298 provides participating companies with the official endorsement of both the State of California and Governor Newsom for their efforts to reduce emissions and protect whales. This invaluable state-level recognition will increase visibility, interest and support for conservation efforts along the California coast. The Santa Barbara Channel is now a globally recognized Whale Heritage Area. The entire world is watching what we do to save whales. ”
“Our agency is proud to be a founding partner of this collaborative program and is excited for this continued effort to expand it to a statewide program while maintaining local involvement,” said Aeron Arlin Genet, Executive Director of Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD). “Since his time as a SBCAPCD Board Member, Assemblymember Hart has been a strong supporter of this program’s overarching goals — to protect blue whales and blue skies. We appreciate his ongoing dedication to expanding the environmental and public health benefits of this program statewide.”
“The bill will build off a successful program in the Santa Barbara Channel region which has resulted in tremendous reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while also protecting blue and humpback whales from the threat of being killed or injured from ship strikes,” said Linda Krop, Chief Counsel of the Environmental Defense Center. “The Environmental Defense Center helped launch this effort in 2007, after five blue whales were killed as a result of ship strikes. Since then, we have seen significant improvements and increased support by the shipping industry. It’s time to expand this successful program state-wide.”
In 2014, a voluntary vessel speed reduction program called Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies was formed by the Santa Barbara County and Ventura County air districts, which grew to include the Bay Area air district in 2017. The program encourages ocean-going vessels to voluntarily travel 10 knots or less in designated areas by providing small incentives and publicity to program participants. To date, the program has achieved close to 800,000 slow speed miles, reduced more than 3,200 tons of smog-forming NOx emissions, and prevented whale strikes by almost 50%. Assembly Bill 2298 will expand this program statewide.
Each year, the world’s largest container ships make thousands of trips along the California coast — including along the 100 nautical miles of the Santa Barbara coast — emitting a staggering 200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) per day and contributing to the growing number of ship strikes against endangered blue, humpback, and fin whales.
WHAT: Assemblymember Hart will hold a press conference to announce legislation to create a California Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program.
WHEN: Friday, February 23rd from 11:30-12:30pm
WHERE: Santa Barbara City College, West Lawn, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
Assemblymember Gregg Hart
Aeron Arlin Genet, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District
Alan Abbs, Legislative Officer, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Sean Hastings, Policy, Information and Management Officer, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
Holly Lohuis, Co-Director of the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area & Marine Biologist
Members of the press and interested community members are invited to attend.
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Gregg Hart represents the California Assembly’s 37th Assembly District, which includes Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Buellton, Solvang, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Nipomo.
He currently serves as the Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee.
