SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara) celebrated the signing of Assembly Bill 14 — a landmark law creating the statewide California Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program. The program will help prevent fatal ship strikes on endangered whales and cut harmful air emissions by encouraging slower vessel speeds along the California coast. Speaking from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on the historic Stearns Wharf, Assemblymember Hart was joined by environmental organizations, air quality officials, program ambassadors, and leading scientists to mark this milestone achievement. The bill was coauthored by Assemblymembers Steve Bennett (D-Ventura) and Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael).
"The Santa Barbara voluntary vessel speed reduction program has shown what's possible when strong public-private partnerships come together to protect our coast," said Assemblymember Hart. "With the signing of AB 14, California is now expanding this successful model statewide, officially recognizing and supporting companies that reduce emissions and safeguard whales. This new law strengthens conservation along our coast while reaffirming California's leadership in advancing environmental protection and public health."
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 participating companies. To date, the program has avoided emissions of over 200,000 metric tons of regional greenhouse gas emissions, about 5,900 tons of NOx emissions, about 35 tons of toxic diesel particulate matter emissions, and resulted in an estimated 50% decrease in whale strikes in the affected areas.
"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 statewide."
"The passage of AB 14 marks a major milestone in our collective efforts to improve air quality and protect California's coastal ecosystems," said Aeron Arlin Genet, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. "We are proud to be a founding partner of this innovative program – now in its 11th season – and are thrilled to see it expand statewide. Assemblymember Hart's leadership has been instrumental in advancing this initiative, which delivers real benefits for both public health and marine life — protecting blue whales and blue skies alike."
Watch the full press conference livestream here: Asm. Hart Celebrates Historic Blue Whales and Blue Skies Bill Becoming Law
Gregg Hart represents the California Assembly's 37th Assembly District, which includes Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Montecito, Summerland, Buellton, Solvang, Lompoc, Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Nipomo. He currently serves as the Chair of the Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight.
CONTACT: Gunnar Langenhuizen – Gunnar.Langenhuizen@asm.ca.gov