Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Extended Comment Period for Los Angeles Terminal

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Los Angeles has extended the public comment period to September 29 for those who want to weigh in on an updated draft report addressing the environmental impacts of China Shipping’s terminal at Berths 97-109.

The port did so at the request of community stakeholders who wanted more time to review and comment on the draft the port released last month.

The draft report reviews the terminal’s continued operation under adjusted mitigation measures, given today’s higher cargo movement compared to 2008 when the original document had been created.

The draft suggested several measures to offset “unavoidable significant impacts in air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and ground transportation.”

Some measures in the draft Environment Impact Report (EIR) were requiring that ships be able to use alternative maritime power (such as shore power) while at berth by January 1, take part in the vessel speed reduction program and swap diesel-powered equipment with electric models.

The original EIR was done when China Shipping North America affiliate West Basin Container Terminal wanted to expand its facility, which was approved by the port and completed in 2013.

The EIR then called for China Shipping to buy cleaner cargo handling equipment and zero emissions trucks and test at least 10 pieces of cargo-handling equipment in a yearlong zero emissions demonstration.

But according to the Daily Breeze, the LA port said in 2015 that many of the clean-air requirements have not been implemented.

For a copy of the draft EIR, visit https://www.portoflosangeles.org/EIR/ChinaShipping/DSEIR/dseir_china_shipping.asp