Ventura County board approves MOU to fund expanded vessel speed‑reduction 'Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies' program

Ventura County's Air Pollution Control Board on June 9 unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing up to $973,863 in fiscal‑year 2026–27 funding for the Marine Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Incentive Program, known as Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies, and directed staff to continue technical review of engine performance concerns raised by industry.

The program, which staff said has operated since 2014 and enrolled 743 participating vessels in 2025, is a voluntary incentive effort designed to reduce underwater noise, the risk of fatal whale strikes and emissions from ships approaching California ports. In presentation to the board staff described measurable fleetwide reductions in greenhouse gases and nitrogen oxides and recommended that the board find the MOU action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute the agreement and related documents.

Industry and port representatives who addressed the board praised the program’s conservation and local‑air benefits but urged caution about technical details. Mike Jacob of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association said his members remain “strong supporters of Blue Whales Blue Skies” but asked the board to keep studying how slower speeds affect newer ‘‘tier three’’ engines. “We have individual ships that we know are increasing NOx. We know they’re increasing greenhouse gases just by participating,” Jacob said, arguing that speed‑to‑emissions relationships can be non‑linear for some vessel classes and engine technologies.

Jason Hodge, president of the Port of Hueneme (Oxnard Harbor District), and Giles Pettifor, the port’s sustainability director, reiterated support for the program while urging the board and staff to let the Technical Working Group finish additional analysis before broader or permanent changes are adopted. Pettifor cited port estimates of local benefits associated with participating calls and called for continued technical analysis of expanded VSR zones.

Sean Hastings of NOAA’s Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary told the board NOAA helped launch the voluntary, incentive‑based program and urged continuation of the MOU and funding. Hastings said participation has remained high even with this season’s expanded VSR zone and that staff and program partners will adjust parameters if data show it is warranted.

Board members questioned staff and NOAA about how long ships typically spend inside the VSR zone and about which vessel classes may see increased emissions at slower speeds. Staff and NOAA explained that, depending on approach routes, a ship entering a roughly 50‑nautical‑mile VSR zone would typically spend hours—not days—in the slower‑speed window and that emissions effects depend on vessel class, engine calibration and load factors. Staff also described an ongoing Technical Working Group that includes industry, environmental groups and technical experts to review methodologies and performance.

After public comment and discussion the board moved to approve the MOU, the associated program budget and authority for the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute documents; the motion carried on a voice vote. Board members emphasized the voluntary nature of the program and that staff will continue stakeholder engagement and technical review to identify refinements.

The MOU authorizes Ventura County’s Air Pollution Control District to administer the program funding in partnership with the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation and program partners. Staff said the program does not authorize physical construction, is intended to reduce pollution and wildlife risk through incentives, and will continue to be monitored and adjusted through the Technical Working Group and program staff reporting.

Next steps: staff will execute the MOU and continue to participate in technical evaluations with the Working Group; the board will receive follow‑up information as the analyses proceed.