As CARB plans to act on this important proposal in early Spring, sign this petition now to share your concerns over the California Air Resources Board (CARB) proposed harbor craft rules which could harm Catalina Island's economy and tourism; and express your support for sufficient state funding and time for CCE to purchase new lower emitting vessels to provide their vital transportation operations.

Whether you’re a resident, small business, or visitor of Catalina Island, you know and appreciate all the extraordinary things the Island has to offer. As a small but popular destination off the coast of California, Catalina’s economy and livelihood is dependent on tourism.

The past few years have created hardships for many localities, especially those made up of small businesses and tourism, Catalina is now facing yet another potential blow to its economy. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is proposing new harbor craft rules taking effect in 2023, that could impact Catalina Channel Express (CCE) operations, the vital ferry transportation system that transports passengers to and from the Island. CARB’s proposed regulations will require Catalina Express ferries to make costly changes to the engines on their vessels or purchase replacement vessels to achieve reduced emissions, costing Catalina Express upwards of $120 million. Without state funding to make this transition feasible, the current proposed regulations will significantly affect CCE. The negative consequences of these new regulations will impact transportation safety, efficiency, reliability, and affordability if state funding is not provided to offset the costs involved.

These rules will not only impact CCE and the loss of reliable and affordable ferry service but could significantly harm Catalina Island tourism and livelihood. The state can achieve its long range zero-emission goal while maintaining the vital ferry transportation system that serves the people of Catalina and the workers and visitors that travel to the Island. 

STATE FUNDING IS CRITICAL

State funding is needed to help private operators comply with the new regulatory mandates being proposed. While CCE is committed to a longer-term goal of eventually transitioning to zero-emission vessels, privately owned companies need time and adequate funding to achieve this goal. Without a new, dedicated funding stream, these new mandates are simply not feasible.

NEW STATE PROPOSAL IS COST PROHIBITVE

Under the current proposed rules, which would take effect in 2023, Catalina Express ferries will be required to modify the engines on all of their vessels. The cost to repower an existing vessel is $7 million but will displace approximately 50% of the passenger capacity. The cost to build a new vessel is approximately $20 million. Compliance with Tier IV mandated changes would cost upwards of $120 million to replicate the same level of service with a fleet of new vessels. Without dedicated state funding provided for this massive new expenditure, these proposed regulations are far too cost prohibitive for a privately owned company.

LOSS OF RELIABLE AND AFFORABLE FERRY SERVICE

Without sufficient funding provided by the state to make this transition, these prohibitive costs would not only impact Catalina Express and the loss of reliable and affordable ferry service but would significantly harm Catalina Island tourism and the economy. There are no other viable options for passengers in large numbers to reach the Island other than by ferry, so these costly and economically harmful mandates to replace or upgrade ferries without sufficient financial assistance to the operators will cause an unavoidable ripple effect on every business and resident on the Island.

At a time when California Governor Gavin Newsom is focused on getting the state’s economy “roaring back,” the proposed regulations will devastate Catalina tourism and impact Californians without your help.

To learn more about this effort, please visit: www.protectcatalinaisland.com

In times like these, we should be attracting visitors and supporting local economies, not discouraging tourism and fiscally harming small communities.