Watch Now


Port of L.A. exceeds schedule for reducing mobile pollutants

An inventory of air emissions shows voluntary and mandatory programs are effective in curbing emissions.

   The Port of Los Angeles’ Clean Air Action Plan has resulted in significant air-quality improvements at the facility since its adoption eight years ago.
   Last year, pollution-reduction efforts reached record levels, with diesel particulate matter down 80 percent, nitrogen oxides (NOx) down 57 percent and sulfur oxides (Sox) down 90 percent in the period, according to the port authority’s latest inventory of air emissions from mobile sources. The port has implemented a series of policies and incentives to curb emissions from vessels, trains, trucks, cargo-handling equipment and harbor craft.
   The findings, which were published last week, also show that greenhouse gases have been reduced by 23 percent since 2006.
   The calculations factor in fluctuations in cargo volume.
   “This port’s commitment to clean air is stronger than ever,” new Executive Director Gene Seroka said in a statement. “These latest results show that our industry partners, who have been key to our success all along, are voluntarily expanding their sustainable practices to ensure these gains will last.”
   The port authority noted that participation by ship owners and operators in the voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction Incentive Program is at its highest level ever. In 2013, 97 percent of ships reduced their speed to 12 knots within 20 nautical miles of the port, and 83 percent slowed down within 40 nautical miles. The program is intended to reduce fuel burn and lower NOx emissions.
   The number of cleaner diesel trucks is also increasing. Although heavy-duty trucks with 2007 model year engines meet the requirements for drayage trucks allowed in the port, the trend among companies updating their fleets is to buy 2010 or newer models. Today, 26 percent of the drayage moves to and from the port are handled by trucks with engines that meet the stricter 2010 emissions standards.
   Diesel particulate matter is a toxic contaminant and known carcinogen. NOx and Sox are key components of smog, and greenhouse gases contribute to global warming.
   The port authority said it met its goals for reducing particulate matter two years ahead of schedule and has already exceeded the 2023 target. It also surpassed its 2014 NOx reduction goal of 22 percent in 2009 and is two percentage points shy of its 2023 target of 59 percent.
   Similarly, the port is within three percentage points of its 93-percent Sox reduction target in 2014. 
   Two new vessel requirements that took effect Jan. 1 should enable the Port of Los Angles to hit the target. California now requires container, refrigerated and cruise vessels to run on shore-side electric power while at berth at major ports. Plugging into shore power reduces ship engine emissions by up to 95 percent per vessel call.
   (Learn more about the cost-benefit spectrum for vessel electrification at berth, and clean-air alternatives, in the September magazine feature “Shore power disruptor?“)
   The second regulation requires ships within 24 nautical miles of California’s coast to run on ultra-low sulfur marine fuel. The mandate represents a significant drop from the 2012 sulfur content limits of 1 percent for marine gas oil and 0.5 percent for marine diesel oil. Effective Jan. 1, the requirement will extend to waters with 200 nautical miles of all of North America.
   The port authority said industrial activity at the port contributes only 6.1 percent of all Sox emissions throughout the South Coast Air Basin, down from 25 percent in 2005. Likewise, particulate matter emissions are now at 4.8 percent, compared with 10 percent, and NOx emissions have shrunk to 3.5 percent from 5 percent.