Some local legislators want to boost a program which has been trying to reduce air pollution off our coastline and cut the number of whales hit by ships by getting vessels to slow down.
In 2014, the Santa Barbara and Ventura County Air Pollution Districts joined forces to create a voluntary program to encourage the big ships to slow down in areas like the Santa Barbara Channel.
It offered incentives like financial compensation to participating companies, as well as publicity of being environmentally conscious. In the last decade, the effort is credited with cutting emission by more than 3200 tons and reducing whale strikes by 50%.
The legislation calls for making it an official state program, although it will remain voluntary. Democratic State Assemblyman Gregg Hart of Santa Barbara and Democratic Assemblyman Steve Bennett are sponsors of the bill.
