The state lacks the capacity to make its at-berth emissions rule work, but it's happy to collect the fines. 

California has some of the most restrictive environmental regulations in the country. The Golden State’s commitment to its climate goals has hamstrung its ability to build new housing, public transit, and infrastructure, imposing billions in compliance costs on businesses and residents. 

Now, a little-known rule is adding $2.23 billion to that burden, spreading the effects of California’s self-defeating energy policies to the rest of the country. The state is forcing ships in its ports to connect to its failing green grid—or pay huge penalties. 

In 2020, the California Air Resources Board (CARB)—the agency in charge of the state’s climate change and air pollution programs—proposed its At-Berth rule, requiring large ships like oil tankers and cargo vessels that docked in Southern California ports to cut their emissions by connecting to an already strained California electric grid or using CARB-approved clean-energy technologies. 

States are preempted from imposing air pollution standards without federal permission. So, in 2023, California turned to the Biden administration's Environmental Protection Agency........

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