By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Los Angeles is revitalizing and expanding its existing Marine Engine Exchange Program to include all-electric and alternatively fueled engines.
The program, originally introduced in 2012, provides funding (75 percent of the total cost, up to $2,000) for local boat owners to upgrade old, highly polluting engines with ultra-low emission engines. To date, the program has helped buy nearly 100 outboard motors, resulting in the reduction of about 7,150 pounds of hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen annually, according to the port.
The new alternatively fueled engines all meet California Air Resources Board exhaust emission standards, while all-electric engines have zero exhaust emissions. The Port of Los Angeles says it will offer up to $3,000 to boat owners choosing to purchase an electric motor since all-electric engines provide greater emissions benefits but are significantly more expensive than the combustion based engines.
To qualify for the program, an applicant’s boat must have an operational, two-stroke outboard motor no greater than 20 horsepower and be located in a Port of Los Angeles marina. The old motor will be replaced with an approximate equivalent horsepower rating. Upon engine replacement, the boat must remain in a Port of Los Angeles marina for at least a year.
For an application form, visit http://portoflosangeles.org/pdf/Marina_Engine_Exchange_Project_Application_form.pdf, email engineexchange@portla.org or call (310) 732-2675.
The port says grant funding will be approved until all available funds have been distributed.
