Thursday, March 1, 2012

Port of LA Receives Climate Award From EPA

The Port of Los Angeles has been named an inaugural recipient of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leadership Awards, which recognize businesses and organizations that show outstanding leadership in response to climate change.

The EPA recognized LA in its supply chain leadership category, pointing out the port’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, comprehensive air quality tracking, GHG inventories and emissions management.

The environmental agency particularly commended the port for its 2006 adoption of a green leasing policy that includes environmental requirements in tenant lease agreements, including air emission controls, water, stormwater and sediment quality assessments, and energy audits on terminal buildings to identify energy savings.

“This award is testament to the City of Los Angeles’ and the port’s ongoing efforts to effectively balance economic growth and sustainable business practices,” LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.

The Climate Leadership Award was given in conjunction with the Association of Climate Change Officers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry. Other companies also receiving awards included IBM, Ford Motor Co. and Gap Inc.

“I commend The Port of Los Angeles on its exemplary leadership in cutting carbon pollution that harms our climate and threatens our health,” Gina McCarthy, an assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, said.

“The Port of Los Angeles and all of our Climate Leadership Award winners demonstrate that organizations who are taking action to mitigate climate change are also operating more efficiently, more innovatively and more competitively,” McCarthy said.