California Delays New Regs Implementations

The date for compliance with new California State regulations for contingency plans and certificates of financial responsibility (COFR) for non-tank vessels, originally set for September 1, has been delayed by the state's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). OSPR Administrator Gary Gregory said while the regulations were expected to be finalized soon after the September 1 deadline, the non-tank vessel industry will be given 30 days to comply after the regulations are approved by the Office of Administrative Law and filed with the Secretary of State. The regulations require non-tank barges carrying any quantity of fuel or oil used to operate onboard equipment and machinery to file certificates of financial responsibility and vessel contingency plans. California is the only state on the West Coast to regulate non-tank barges.