Building Monterey Bay’s First Hybrid-Electric Whale Watching Vessel Project
Summary
SCH Number
2024050400
Public Agency
Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District
Document Title
Building Monterey Bay’s First Hybrid-Electric Whale Watching Vessel Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
5/9/2024
Document Description
Monterey Bay Eco Tours (MBET) and project partners, using California Climate Investments (CCI) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) funds, propose to build the first the first hybrid-electric whale-watching boat for operation out of Moss Landing Harbor. The proposed vessel will be custom-built by Left Coast Composites (LCC) and Coast Guard certified to carry 49 passengers for year-round whale watching excursions out of Moss Landing Harbor. This 57-foot-long catamaran will have electric inboard motors with emergency backup diesel-powered generators to meet Coast Guard safety requirements. The project will include renewable energy sources by including rooftop solar panels to trickle charge the batteries. Program goals aim to support a wide array of zero-emission off-road equipment and vessel projects as well as Green Zones, which has a very broad scope and is focused on supporting broad and creative roads to zero-emission adoption at the municipal level. The Program is intended to strategically accelerate the advancement of innovative and economically viable technologies into the commercial marketplace while also supporting the State’s equity and emission reduction goals. The Program helps to achieve these goals by funding projects that help guide development by encouraging the economic and environmental benefits of the projects.
Contact Information
Name
Edward Ballaron
Agency Name
Monterey Bay Air Resources District
Job Title
Air Quality Planner I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Moss Landing
Counties
Monterey
Regions
Citywide
Zip
95039
Other Location Info
7501 Sandholdt Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
Common Sense Exemption, Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, §15061(b)(3)
Reasons for Exemption
Construction of an electric whale watching vessel with emergency backup diesel powered generators will not result in any serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource. Additionally, roof top solar panels which allow for a trickle charge to the electric inboard motors will add a renewable energy component to the project.
County Clerk
Monterey
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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