California air regulators put price tag on cold-ironing

California air regulators put price tag on cold-ironing    In a report released earlier this month, the California Air Resources Board has said it would cost ports in the state at least $900 million to equip berths with electricity so that docked ships could operate electrically rather on auxiliary diesel engines.
   However, the CARB report estimates that emissions could be reduced by 18 tons per day, or 70 percent, if every vessel that calls on California ports three or more times a year converts to electric shoreside power, or cold-ironing.
   Estimates to retrofit vessels with cold-ironing equipment vary, ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million. Both the ports of Long Beach and Los Angles have long-term plans to cold-iron vessels that make frequent stops at the two ports.