California ports update Clean Air Action Plan
Building on the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) adopted in 2006, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles CA released a proposed, updated Clean Air Action Plan that includes new goals for curbing port-related air pollution over the next decade.
With the original CAAP on track to meet or exceed air pollution-reduction objectives, the proposed update includes long-term goals, including an 85% reduction in cancer risk from port-related diesel pollution by 2020.
The original CAAP established a strategy for reducing port-related air pollution and associated health risks. This plan ushered in an array of air pollution control initiatives. Among them: the ports’ clean truck programs, vessel pollution reduction programs, and a Technology Advancement Program (TAP) that fosters development of “clean technology” applications, like a hybrid-electric tugboat, all-electric Class 8 port trucks, and a green short-line railroad.
The ports expect to exceed estimates for reducing air pollution within the original CAAP’s five-year timeline. Going forward, the ports propose, as part of the CAAP update, to adopt new “San Pedro Bay Standards” that will set air quality and health risk goals. Based upon a framework of state and federal air quality regulations and corresponding target dates, the standards set goals for cancer risk reductions by 2020, as well as a series of emissions reductions by 2014 and 2023. To achieve all this, the CAAP will rely on a mix of existing technologies and strategies for the near term, technological advances that have yet to be identified to meet the long-term goals, and ongoing regulatory initiatives at the state, federal and international levels. Given the long-term trend for innovation in clean-air technology and the ports’ multimillion-dollar investments in a Technology Advancement Program, port officials are confident that new solutions will be created to help meet the ambitious new goals.
A 30-day comment period on the update ends May 7, 2010. E-mail comments to [email protected]. Two public meetings have been scheduled to gather comments:
•April 21, 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel–Los Angeles Harbor, 601 S Palos Verdes St, San Pedro CA.
•April 27, 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) at Long Beach City Council Chambers, 333 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach CA.
To see the complete CAAP update, Fact Sheet, and Q & A, go to www.cleanairactionplan.org, www.polb.com/caap, or www.portoflosangeles.org.