Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles “Clean Air Action Plan” Nears Adoption

Prior to the November 2nd meeting to consider adoption of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles “Clean Air Action Plan 2017” the ports have re-iterated their faith in zero emissions technologies to reduce emissions from cargo-handling equipment and trucks. The ports note that “many”  public comments, including 400 letters and 80 people testifying at an August workshop,  support the zero emissions goal of the plan: “Many commenters supported and praised the CAAP’s (Clean Air Action Plan) focus on zero emissions as an end goal for trucks and cargo-handling equipment and urged a more aggressive timeline with fewer allowances for near zero emissions technologies.”   The two ports note: “the 2017 CAAP (Clean Air Action Plan) Update includes goals for 100% zero-emissions for trucks by 2035 and cargo-handling equipment by 2030 …The CAAP does not mandate or assume the use of one particular technology or fuel. Operators have choices about the use of the clean technology that meets their operational needs, while also meeting the ports goals for lower emissions. In addition, the CAAP introduces interim milestones for near-zero emissions trucks and equipment, but continues to support the ultimate goal of zero emissions. Progress toward zero emissions will be made through a variety of efforts including through early pilot deployments and incentives for transition, regular updates to our feasibility assessments to monitor development and identify ongoing challenges, adjustments to the exemptions to the truck rate over time that provide an economic inducement for zero emissions trucks, and requirements to purchase the cleanest feasible terminal equipment.” The ports also responded to industry criticisms including from the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association (PMSA) that the cost of transitioning to zero emission technologies was high and that it would undermine the ports market share sending business and jobs to other ports: “With respect to competitiveness and diversion, the Ports will work with the State and other stakeholders to evaluate ways to enhance our economic competitiveness and maintain our market share. Possible economic impacts are discussed in the CAAP supporting document, ‘Economic and Workforce Considerations for the Clean Air Action Plan Update.’” The adoption of the “Clean Air Action Plan” will be considered at a joint public meeting of the two ports’ harbor commissions at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel, 601 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, 90731. The meeting will be broadcast live online at polb.com/webcast and at portoflosangeles.org.”