EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach Clean Air Action Plan

Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach Clean Air Action Plan

Introduction

The joint Clean Air Action Plan, known as the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, describes the measures that the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will take toward reducing emissions related to port operations. This plan tries to effectively integrate common goals for air quality in the South Coast Air Basin.

Description

The San Pedro Bay Ports are located in the South Coast Air Basin (SoCAB). SoCAB has some of the worst air quality in the nation, which represents a major health concern for its residents. Much of this air quality problem is attributable to the fact that the SoCAB is the second largest urban area in the nation (with all its associated emission. sources). Furthermore, in the SoCAB, topographical and meteorological conditions enhance the formation of air pollution.

The ports are a big source of pollution. Almost 5,800 ships called at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in 2005, releasing roughly 14,000 tons of air pollutants. In 2004, more than 7,200 ships sailed past Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, releasing almost 16,000 tons of pollutants.

The Clean Air Action Plan consists of the following eight elements:

Standards and Goals
Implementation Strategies
Control Measures
Technology Advancement Program
Infrastructure & Operational Efficiency
Improvements Initiative
Estimated Emission Reductions
Estimated Budget Requirements
Recommendations

The plan is based on the following principles:

The Ports will work cooperatively to implement these strategies.
The Clean Air Action Plan, although built upon past efforts, will be continually updated and improved.
The Ports will be open to new technologies and other advancements to meet the Action Plan’s objectives.
The Ports will achieve an appropriate fair share of necessary pollutant emission reductions which are cost effective and feasible.

Tenants of port facilities, railroads, and the trucking industry will be expected to “sign-on” and participate in the Clean Air Action Plan beginning January 1, 2007. Before January 1, 2007, the Ports will work with tenants and the railroads to assist them in developing their own programs to meet the plan’ s standards.

The Action Plan was presented for public review by the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. It has been prepared with the participation and cooperation of the staff of the US Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Contact info

Port of Los Angeles
caap@portofla.org

Contact info

Port of Long Beach
caap@polb.com

Publication date

28/06/2006

Article info
Organisation: Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach

Links

Port of Los Angeles Port of Long Beach

San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (PDF, Eng, 3.1 MB)

Document type

policy

Themes

Urban Policy > Transport and infrastructure

Keywords

Water transport