An environmental regulation from California pushed during the administration of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is at the center of a legislative battle in Washington, where a Republican congressman is seeking to eliminate a measure that acts as a ''hidden climate tax'' on shipping and ultimately raises prices paid by consumers across the country.
The rule, known as ''Vessel At Berth'', was authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2020, during Newsom's term, and allows the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to impose strict requirements on certain ships that remain docked in the state's ports.
Republican Representative Vince Fong from California is now leading a bill aimed at withdrawing the federal authorization that allows California to enforce these rules. His argument is that the environmental scheme not only affects shipping companies but also generates additional costs that ultimately get passed on to businesses and families across the United States.
The communist governor of California, Gavin Newsom, is promoting a project to tax ships while they are docked in state ports
The regulation requires that certain large vessels turn off their diesel engines while docked and use a California-approved strategy to reduce their emissions. Among the alternatives is connecting to the port's electrical grid or using other power systems.
The problem, according to Fong, is that not all ports currently have the necessary infrastructure for ships to easily comply with these requirements. Operators who do not comply may face fines of tens of thousands of dollars, costs that the congressman considers unjustified and harmful to the economy.
Fong describes these penalties as a ''hidden climate tax'' because, although California does not directly charge that money to consumers, the additional costs can be incorporated into the price of shipping. Shipping companies can pass those expenses on to importers and distributors, who in turn may pass them on to final prices.
''It’s a huge hidden climate tax being imposed on every ship that enters California,'' Fong stated. The Republican highlighted that the state's ports process more than 40% of all containers entering the United States, so he believes the consequences of the regulation extend well beyond California's borders.
Republican Congressman Vince Fong is promoting a bill to revoke California's authorization to collect climate fees
The congressman noted that the impact can be felt in everyday products. Goods purchased through Amazon, items that small businesses buy for their establishments, products that reach supermarkets, and even fuel can depend, directly or indirectly, on shipping.
''When you add additional costs to our transportation system and our shipping network, those costs ripple throughout the entire supply chain,'' Fong maintained.
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, both in California, are among the main maritime traffic hubs in the United States. Due to the enormous volume of goods that pass through these facilities, any increase in operating costs can have effects on businesses and consumers located outside the state.
The Donald Trump administration questioned the regulation and requested the U.S. Congress to promote a regulation similar to Fong's
Critics of Newsom argue that the case demonstrates how California's ridiculous environmental policies can have national economic consequences. According to this argument, Sacramento can establish particularly strict regulations to combat emissions, but the costs arising from those policies do not necessarily remain within the state.
The Trump administration also questioned the regulation. In July 2026, the government requested Congress to initiate a review of the federal authorization that allowed California to implement the program. Fong's bill seeks to move precisely in that direction and limit the state's ability to maintain the regulation.
The Republican also warns that maintaining the scheme could set a precedent for other states. If California can obtain federal authorization to impose its own requirements on ships using its ports, other jurisdictions might try to adopt similar measures.
''If they can do it, we can too,'' Fong warned while explaining the risk of the model spreading. According to the congressman, a proliferation of different state regulations could force shipping companies to incur higher costs and multiply the burdens on the national logistics chain.
On the other hand, Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan will promote similar legislation, stating that Newsom's climate taxes are passed on to prices and the cost of living in other states
Republican Senator Dan Sullivan from Alaska introduced a similar initiative in the Senate. Sullivan stated that families in his state also end up paying when California establishes new mandates affecting shipping.
The offensive against the regulation comes as the cost of living continues to be one of the main concerns for Americans and a central issue leading up to the midterm elections. For Fong and his allies, the debate is not limited to ship emissions: it is about determining who ultimately pays the price of California's environmental policies.
