b'22American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comPMSAS Jacob says reforming California environmental act will boost renewable businessReforming the California Environmental Quality Act will streamline permit processing for new and renewable business.By Stas Margaronis, AJOTCaliforniaismakingthe jobofinvestinginrenewable energy and manufacturing much morecomplicatedbecauseof therequirementsoftheCali-PACIFIC COAST PORTS 25 forniaEnvironmentalQuality Act (CEQA).CEQA needs to be reformed so as to streamline proj-ect approvals, according to Mike Tariffs will challenge the futureJacob, President, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA).In an interview with AJOT, of West Coast portsJacob said the CEQA process is slow, cumbersome and is hurt-ing Californias ability to retain Mike Jacob, President, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA)and attract new business as well says the new Trump Administrations tariffs present a challeng- asslowingdowntheupgradesMike Jacob, President, PMSAthat California is mandating for ing future for West Coast ports. zero emissions investments.regulated operations when many For example, at Marine Ter- oftheperformancecharacteris-By Stas Margaronis, AJOT minals: The permitting of marinetics are already dictated explicitly terminals occurs within a very vig- by the States own rules.Local US West Coast ports are likely to have a morelow water issues at the Panama Canal. However, theorous air quality regime enforcedenvironmentalreviewofthese challenging year in 2025 due to the imposition oflabor issues have been resolved, the Panama Canalby the State of California at thepotential impacts or alternatives tariffsthatcouldespeciallyimpact Trans-Pacificis fully functioning, and the Suez Canal is openingports. Marine terminals have veryservesvirtuallynopurposefor trade, according to Mike Jacob, President Pacificup. So, the question is will the diverted cargo movesimilaroperatingfunctionsanddecisionmakers when the marine Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA). back from the West to the East and Gulf? so the generation of emissions byterminal is already following the InaninterviewwithAJOT,Jacobsaid WestJacobrespondedasfollows:Noonehasatrucks and cargo-handling is pre- strictest set of air quality regula-Coast ports had been able to take some market sharecrystal ballgiven all the short-term uncertainty,dictable and should not require ations in the country.back from East and Gulf Coast ports due to longshorewe want to make sure we are keeping as muchbrand-new environmental impact(REFORMING continued on labor issues, the shutdown of the Suez Canal and(TARIFFS continued on page 33) report evaluation of these alreadypage 24)'