By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Long Beach said Oct. 23 that it has been awarded a $1.2 million grant by the US Environmental Protection Agency to help Long Beach Container Terminal replace diesel-fueled tractors with electric, zero-emission vehicles.
The federal Diesel Emission Reduction Act grant is expected to help LBCT buy eight cargo-handling electric-powered yard tractors for $5.4 million, replacing a matching number of diesel-powered yard tractors and reducing the associated air pollution.
The electric vehicles are critical components of the port’s $1.3 billion Middle Harbor project, which when opened early next year is expected to be among the greenest, most technologically advanced shipping terminals in the world as a virtually all-electric and zero emissions facility.
“These vehicles will cut pollution, providing immediate health benefits to surrounding communities,” Rick Cameron, the port’s Managing Director of Planning and Environmental Affairs said. “They’re an important part of building our Port of the Future and we thank the EPA for recognizing our efforts and awarding us this funding to facilitate the project for LBCT.”
The project’s expected to reduce emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides by 40 tons and diesel particulate matter by two tons during the lifecycle of the equipment. Vehicles are scheduled for delivery by summer 2017.
The 10-year-old Diesel Emission Reduction Act provides grants to state, local and tribal governments for programs to reduce emissions from diesel engines. Since 2005, the Port of Long Beach has received about $10.5 million in grants from the EPA to reduce emissions in the Harbor area.
