CARB Discontinues Diesel Engine Enforcement
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a notice stating that it will discontinue enforcement of the Ocean-Going Vessel Auxiliary Diesel Engine Regulation. This action has been taken (somewhat belatedly) after the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declined to rehear its earlier decision holding that the regulation was preempted under the federal Clean Air Act. The CARB will now submit a request for authorization from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce the regulation. In the meantime, the CARB encourages ship operators to use 0.5% sulfur marine distillate oil (MDO) or marine gas oil (MGO) when within 24 nautical miles of California.
Source: HK Law