By Karen Robes Meeks
Next fall, the Port of Oakland is expected to have an updated Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan in place.
The current document, which expires in 2020, has shaped the port’s environmental policy since 2009. The new version is expected to address two key objectives – expanding the port’s efforts to lower diesel particulate matter emissions; and developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the port, the plan could include using emerging technology to further curb emissions such as zero-and-near zero-emissions cargo handling equipment.
“Over nearly a decade, we’ve made significant progress in curbing emissions, improving air quality and protecting the community’s health,” said Richard Sinkoff, the port’s Director of Environmental Programs and Planning. “But we can’t stop now – we’ve got to have a new plan in place well before the old one expires.”
Showing posts with label Air Quality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Air Quality. Show all posts
Friday, December 29, 2017
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Pollution Reduction at Long Beach
By Karen Robes Meeks
In its latest annual emissions inventory, the Port of Long Beach posted significant reductions in air pollution, marking more than a decade of improving air quality.
Done by an independent consultant, the report shows record numbers, including:
• An 88 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter since 2005;
• A 56 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides; and
• A 22 percent reduction in greenhouse gases.
The port attributed the low numbers to the 2016 opening of the first phase of the zero-emissions Long Beach Container Terminal at Pier E, making 11 percent of the port’s cargo-handling equipment zero-emissions.
“We have a greater percentage of our cargo-handling equipment operating at zero emissions than any other seaport in the country,” said port Executive Director Mario Cordero. “As we chase our goal of becoming a zero-emissions port, it’s important for us to increase that number to help make the technology more commercially viable.”
The port, which has been tracking its pollution-lowering progress since 2005, has implemented several pollution-curbing efforts, which include establishing the Clean Trucks Program, boosting shore power use for vessels and encouraging ships to slow down as they approach the port.
“Our pollution-reduction strategies begin before a vessel enters the harbor and continue after cargo leaves on a truck or locomotive,” said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “This is a model we worked hard to achieve at the Port of Long Beach, and it’s one we’ll continue to improve until we reach zero emissions.”
In its latest annual emissions inventory, the Port of Long Beach posted significant reductions in air pollution, marking more than a decade of improving air quality.
Done by an independent consultant, the report shows record numbers, including:
• An 88 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter since 2005;
• A 56 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides; and
• A 22 percent reduction in greenhouse gases.
The port attributed the low numbers to the 2016 opening of the first phase of the zero-emissions Long Beach Container Terminal at Pier E, making 11 percent of the port’s cargo-handling equipment zero-emissions.
“We have a greater percentage of our cargo-handling equipment operating at zero emissions than any other seaport in the country,” said port Executive Director Mario Cordero. “As we chase our goal of becoming a zero-emissions port, it’s important for us to increase that number to help make the technology more commercially viable.”
The port, which has been tracking its pollution-lowering progress since 2005, has implemented several pollution-curbing efforts, which include establishing the Clean Trucks Program, boosting shore power use for vessels and encouraging ships to slow down as they approach the port.
“Our pollution-reduction strategies begin before a vessel enters the harbor and continue after cargo leaves on a truck or locomotive,” said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. “This is a model we worked hard to achieve at the Port of Long Beach, and it’s one we’ll continue to improve until we reach zero emissions.”
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Port of Los Angeles Suggests Air Quality Measures
By Karen Robes Meeks
An updated draft environmental impact report released Thursday by the Port of Los Angeles is suggesting a series of sustainable measures to curb “unavoidable significant impacts in air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and ground transportation” at China Shipping’s terminal at Berths 97-109.
This supplemental draft updates a 2008 environmental impact report (EIR) that was created when China Shipping North America affiliate West Basin Container Terminal wanted to expand its terminal, which the port approved. The project was completed in 2013.
To offset the impacts, the EIR called for China Shipping to purchase cleaner cargo handling equipment and zero emissions trucks, and conduct a yearlong zero emissions demonstration with at least 10 pieces of cargo-handling equipment.
But according to the Daily Breeze, the L.A. port said in 2015 that many of the clean-air requirements have not yet happened.
This draft report evaluates the terminal’s continued operation under adjusted mitigation measures, considering that cargo movement is higher now than it was in 2008.
Modified measures would include that ships must be able to use alternative maritime power (such as shore power) while docked at the port by January 1, participate in the vessel speed reduction program and replacing diesel-powered equipment with electric models.
The public has a chance to weigh in on the draft report until July 31. An open meeting will take place on July 18 at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes Street in San Pedro. For a copy of the draft EIR, visit https://www.portoflosangeles.org/EIR/ChinaShipping/DSEIR/dseir_china_shipping.asp
An updated draft environmental impact report released Thursday by the Port of Los Angeles is suggesting a series of sustainable measures to curb “unavoidable significant impacts in air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and ground transportation” at China Shipping’s terminal at Berths 97-109.
This supplemental draft updates a 2008 environmental impact report (EIR) that was created when China Shipping North America affiliate West Basin Container Terminal wanted to expand its terminal, which the port approved. The project was completed in 2013.
To offset the impacts, the EIR called for China Shipping to purchase cleaner cargo handling equipment and zero emissions trucks, and conduct a yearlong zero emissions demonstration with at least 10 pieces of cargo-handling equipment.
But according to the Daily Breeze, the L.A. port said in 2015 that many of the clean-air requirements have not yet happened.
This draft report evaluates the terminal’s continued operation under adjusted mitigation measures, considering that cargo movement is higher now than it was in 2008.
Modified measures would include that ships must be able to use alternative maritime power (such as shore power) while docked at the port by January 1, participate in the vessel speed reduction program and replacing diesel-powered equipment with electric models.
The public has a chance to weigh in on the draft report until July 31. An open meeting will take place on July 18 at the Port of Los Angeles Administration Building, 425 S. Palos Verdes Street in San Pedro. For a copy of the draft EIR, visit https://www.portoflosangeles.org/EIR/ChinaShipping/DSEIR/dseir_china_shipping.asp
Thursday, October 1, 2009
SoCal MTOs Meet New CARB Reporting Deadline
Marine terminal operators at the adjacent ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles announced Wednesday that they have met the deadline to comply with a new clean trucks regulation from the California Air Resources Board.
The MTOs report that they were able to meet the deadline by modifying radio frequency identification system devices previously installed at the terminals under the night-gate PierPASS program.
By utilizing these RFID modifications, the MTOs said they would meet CARB’s new reporting requirement without requiring additional registration or other action from truck and cargo owners.
The CARB regulations, which take effect today and are part of the agency’s efforts to control diesel emissions, require the ports to report back to CARB all non-compliant trucks entering marine terminals or rail yards. To comply with these regulations, the MTOs will report information already collected by the PierPASS-maintained Drayage Truck Registry for each drayage truck entering the marine container terminals.
Under the system, the RFID information will be transmitted from the terminals to PierPASS, which will communicate the information to the two ports. The ports will then transmit the required information to CARB.
