Long Beach may offer more green to go green

Long Beach may offer more green to go green    Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners are to consider adding nearly $9 million in incentives to boost participation in the port’s “Green Flag” air quality program when they meet Monday.
   The program aims to get more ships to reduce speed when approaching and leaving the port, and to increase the use of trains to move import and export cargo containers.
   'These incentives are designed to assist our ocean carriers and terminal operators financially, as well as increase their involvement in two important port programs,' said Alex H. Cherin, managing director of trade relations and port operations.
   The proposed Green Flag incentive would add $3 million to the program to encourage more vessel operators to slow their ships within 40 nautical miles of the port. Green Flag offers discounted dockage rates for vessel operators who slow their ships within 20 miles or 40 miles of the port.
   More than 95 percent of ships slow down in the 20-mile zone, but only about 70 percent slow down in the 40-mile zone. The incentives are expected to boost the 40-mile participation rates for additional air quality benefits. In 2009, the Green Flag Program helped reduce about 2,000 tons of pollution; the expanded incentives could reduce an additional 300 tons.
   The other proposal is designed to attract more rail-borne cargo through the Port of Long Beach. Terminal operators are eligible for a 10 percent discount on wharfage fees for containers that are bound to or originate from inland destinations. The program is designed to attract more import cargo destined for markets outside Southern California through Long Beach. The proposal would extend the program's deadline to Dec. 31, from April 30, adding about $5.8 million in discounted fees.