Bill Overview
Title: No Electric Ferries Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation from providing passenger ferry grants for zero-emission or electric ferry projects.
Sponsors: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10]
Target Audience
Population: People who rely on or support zero-emission or electric ferry services
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The bill affects the funding of zero-emission or electric ferry projects, which are significant in areas relying on ferry transportation.
- Global populations affected include those who live in coastal regions, islands, or lakes where ferries are an essential mode of transport.
- Passengers and communities advocating for reduced emissions are also affected, as electric ferries contribute to lower pollution levels.
- Tourism industries that utilize ferries as a major mode of transport service and strive for eco-friendly credentials will feel an impact.
- Operators and workers involved in the production and maintenance of electric ferries will be impacted due to potential shifts in demand.
Reasoning
- The policy affects areas that rely on ferries as a major transportation mode, particularly those which are considering or have invested in electric ferries. Affected populations will primarily be those who live in coastal, island, or lake regions.
- The environmental and economic impacts are long-term. Immediate changes in wellbeing might not be drastic unless individuals are directly tied financially to the electric ferry industry or heavily invested in environmental causes.
- Given the policy involves ceasing new subsidies, regions currently utilizing diesel or gas-powered ferries won't see immediate changes, but anticipated environmental and social benefits from electric ferries will be curtailed. The impact would be seen more over a long horizon with a missed opportunity to transition to sustainable technology.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a setback in our mission for a cleaner environment.
- I rely on ferries daily, and transitioning to electric ferries would mean a cleaner commute for my family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 9 |
Ferry Captain (Charleston, SC)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support innovation and transition to cleaner energies, this policy stalls progress.
- Tourist impressions of environmental care affect our business. Electric ferries were a selling point.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 9 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Wish the government supported more eco-friendly alternatives.
- This policy defies our community’s efforts to cut emissions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Electric Vehicle Engineer (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s disappointing to halt technological advancement and adaptation in transportation.
- Our team’s work shifted the paradigm for ferry transportation purposes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 8 |
Tourism Operator (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Eco-tourism is the future, and electric ferries align with that vision.
- Stopped projects affect our green certification and appeal to tourists.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 9 |
City Planner (Boston, MA)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Electric ferries were part of our long-term sustainable transport strategy.
- Losing funding means a potential delay in the city's environmental goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 9 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a misstep away from sustainable public transit.
- Electric ferries represent progress towards a greener future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Retired (New York, NY)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s heartbreaking that they won’t consider emissions in ferry policy.
- We need to think about the planet we're leaving for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 9 |
Local Government Employee (Juneau, AK)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Electric ferries are vital for reducing our state’s carbon footprint.
- We need support for developing cleaner transportation solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 8 |
Petroleum Engineer (Houston, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand the push for cleaner transport, but ferries are a niche issue.
- There are larger carbon footprint areas to tackle.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Prohibiting zero-emission grants could slow down progress towards emission reduction goals.
- Maintain openness to future legislative adjustments as technology and market conditions evolve.