By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of Long Beach and tenant Long Beach Container Terminal have received a Clean Air Award from a Southern California environmental agency for working to reduce pollution in the region.
The award, which was presented Oct. 7 at the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s 28th annual Clean Air Awards luncheon in Riverside, Calif., was given by the SCAQMD for the port’s efforts to advance effective solutions to the problem of poor air quality in the region via the POLB’s Middle Harbor redevelopment project.
Middle Harbor, once complete, is expected to handle twice the amount of cargo as the previous terminal, while cutting air emissions by more than half. The first phase opened earlier this year.
“We’re building the green port of the future, and Middle Harbor is a big part of that,” Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán said. “The terminal is the world’s greenest and most sustainable. We are deeply honored to be recognized along with LBCT.”
The Clean Air Awards are given in several categories to recognize individuals, government entities, nonprofits and businesses. According to the SCAQMD, past honorees have led the development of innovative clean air technologies, implemented forward-thinking policies to improve the quality of life for residents and improve air quality.
“We are honored to receive this award – the Middle Harbor redevelopment project has truly been a collaborative effort between our parent company OOCL, the Port of Long Beach, the ILWU and our many customers,” Long Beach Container Terminal President Anthony Otto said. “We will continue to work with our partners in making Middle Harbor a model for the industry.”
