L.A. port to cut tariff for low-emission vehicles

L.A. port to cut tariff for low-emission vehicles    The Port of Los Angeles said Tuesday it is pursuing plans to become the world's first port to offer a reduced tariff for U.S. imports of zero-emission vehicles imported into through the port.
   The reduced-fee incentive proposal was announced April 30 as Chinese manufacturer BYD Auto Co. (BYD) said it would locate its North American headquarters in Los Angeles and use the Port of Los Angeles to import its vehicles.
   The port plans to provide a 15 percent reduction of the wharfage rate for any battery electric vehicles. The port will bring the proposed tariff reduction to the California Ports Authority, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission and the Los Angeles City Council in the next several months, with a goal of enacting the provision by September.
   Meanwhile, Yusen Terminals Inc. (YTI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's NYK Line, said it has completed the first tenant-installed solar project at the Port of Los Angeles. The new installation will provide the terminal with 11,806 kilowatt hours per year.
   The terminal operator said it had pilot tested the solar power modules adjacent to the wharf to test their durability in a saltwater environment.