The California Air Resources Board awarded the Port of Los Angeles a $31 million grant to test renewable-powered boats as part of a project to reduce its reliance on carbon fuel in ferry services, officials announced Thursday.
Grant funding will allow the port to test renewable diesel-powered and electric-powered ships in partnership with Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, renewable diesel is a fuel made from fats and oils and is processed to be chemically the same as petroleum diesel.
“CARB is proud to support development of the next generation of advanced marine vessels that will help protect the health of those living and working near ports,” CARB Chair Liane Randolph said in a statement.
The Los Angeles Marine Emission Reduction project will involve the design, construction and launch of a passenger ferry with “Tier 4 engines and potentially a CARB-verified, U.S. Coast Guard-approved diesel particulate filter,” according to port officials.
LA MER is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work in reducing greenhouse gas emissions for disadvantaged communities, among other things.
Catalina Express will test this type of ferry, which is expected to replace three smaller ferries using Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines.
The tier system was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to regulate emissions released by new, non-road equipment diesel engines. Tier 3 and below are standards for engines produced between 1996 to 2008.
While Tier 4 are standards for engines developed from 2008 to 2015, are known to be the cleanest diesel engines produced thus far, according to the EPA.
“Their support has allowed us to move forward on the construction of this vessel to further the mission of environmental advancement and continuing to provide a valuable and affordable ferry service to Catalina Island for island residents, visitors and local communities,” Greg Bombard, president and CEO of Catalina Express, said in a statement.
Harbor Breeze Cruises will test two zero-emission excursion boats that will be designed, constructed and deployed by LA MER.
The boats are expected to operate well beyond regulations called upon for zero-emission advanced technology vessels. Port officials say these ships will be able to operate a minimum of 30% of the time in zero-emission mode with some trips operating as much as 100%, depending on the route length and other factors.
According to the California Air Resources Board, ZEAT devices have no tailpipe exhaust emissions and instead release water vapor or diatomic nitrogen from its onboard power source via electricity or hydrogen fuel cells.
Part of the project involves the evaluation of how well the technology can be used, and it will also include identifying any gaps to maximize the diesel particulate filter. Other aspects the project will consider are workforce development, training for harbor-craft workers in new engine technology, and battery-electric solutions for tugs, ferries and pilot boats in the San Pedro Bay.
Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze Cruises will each contribute a $15 million match toward their respective demonstration program. Los Angeles Harbor Commission members authorized the use of $650,000 for a project evaluation study with another $340,000 coming from the Port of Long Beach as well.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said the use of this technology will help the port meet its goals of reducing emissions.
“We’re grateful to the California Air Resources Board, Catalina Express and Harbor Breeze cruises for helping support this industry leading initiative to test new and promising harbor craft technology,” Seroka said in a statement.