Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Oakland Aiming for Zero Emissions

By Karen Robes Meeks

The Port of Oakland announced on Wednesday, that it is in the process of making cargo operations at the port free of emissions with a “bold and ambitious” Draft Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan.

The 30-page document proposes several initiatives, from implementing electric trucks and putting in new infrastructure to encourage more vessels to plug in at berths.

“Achieving a zero-emissions seaport will take years, requiring substantial investments in transformative technology, new infrastructure and equipment,” said Richard Sinkoff, director of environmental programs and planning at the port and principal architect of its clean-air plan. “But we are 100 percent committed to eliminating emissions related to the movement of containerized trade, wherever and as soon as we can.”

Public meetings to discuss the proposal are expected in the fall, with a final plan in place by the end of the year.