Cargo Ships Avoid California Coast

By Heidi Smucker — 03/22/10
New regulations on the California coast are causing problems for the navy. Last summer, a new rule in California said ships within 24 miles of the coast must burn cleaner fuel. Now, cargo ships are steering clear of the coast so they can use cheaper and dirtier fuel. The ships are clusteres where the navy conducts missile test and now causing confusion over traffic flow. Military officials, mariners, and biologists met this weekend to discuss a solution.