Ports of L.A./Long Beach to brief public on Clean Air update

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are taking public feedback on proposals to raise the bar on emissions requirements for port operators and users.    The governing boards of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will hold a joint public meeting Nov. 17 to discuss proposals for updating their decade-old Clean Air Action Plan.
   A discussion document between the two ports outlines their plans for expanding the strategies that have helped to dramatically reduce air pollution from port-related sources.
   The port authorities are proposing a path toward zero emissions, the next iteration of the Clean Truck Program, and new strategies to encourage the deployment of cleaner ships. The ports developed the proposals with input from industry, regulatory bodies, the community and environmental groups.
   The Clean Air Action Plan was previously updated in 2010. The latest version contains a comprehensive set of near-term and long-term strategies to help the region achieve its clean air goals, support the statewide vision for more sustainable freight and set a new goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through 2050.
   According to the latest annual inventories released earlier this year, the two ports’ comprehensive clean air programs have reduced diesel particulate matter (DPM) up to 85 percent, cut nitrogen oxides (NOx) in half, eliminated 97 percent of sulfur oxides (SOx), and shrunk GHG by an average of 12 percent. The results reflect the ports’ combined clean air progress in collaboration with industry, regulatory, community and environmental partners since 2005, according to the latest annual inventories released earlier this year.
   The results also show how the ports continue to exceed their 2023 targets for reducing DPM and SOx (77 percent and 93 percent, respectively) and are closing in on their 2023 target of reducing NOx emissions 59 percent.
   The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Port of Long Beach Maintenance Facility and will be webcast live on the port authority websites.
   The public review and comment process extends through Feb. 17, 2017. During this period, written comments can be submitted to caap@cleanairactionplan.org. The ports plan to release a draft of the 2017 CAAP Update for final review and consideration by their governing boards early next year.