Sustainable City Commission Hears From The Port Of Long Beach

Last Thursday, February 23rd, the Sustainable City Commission received presentations from the Port of Long Beach on their Clean Air Action Plan and plan for new On-Dock Rail Operations. The commission heard public comment and discussed the merits of these programs with presenters. The full video of the meeting can be found online.

Heather Tomley from the Port of Long Beach gave the first presentation on the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) update process happening right now. The original CAAP was adopted jointly with the Port of LA in 2006 to improve air quality in communities around the ports. The strategies from this plan and its 2010 update have all been implemented or are under way, and as a result the Port has been able to drastically reduce its emissions even while increasing the amount of cargo coming through. The new plan update will identify next steps and new strategies to guide this progress into the future. One major initiative is to continue to advance the clean trucks program with the goal of a zero emissions fleet by 2035 paired with priority access to the port for zero- and near-zero emissions trucks. This priority access increases the value of zero-emissions trucks and offsets the cost of transitioning to new technology. Other programs address emissions from terminal equipment and ocean-going vessels, supply chain optimization, a green terminal recognition program, and expanding on-dock rail. For more information on the CAAP, go to www.cleanairactionplan.org.

The Port’s Carlo Luzzi presented plans for new on-dock rail facilities on pier B, one of many Port initiatives to make its operations cleaner and more efficient. The goal of the program is to get up to 50% of cargo moving out of the Port on trains rather than trucks. Trains are up to 3 times more efficient than trucks, and each train eliminates up to 750 truck trips. The new on-dock rail facilities will expand on existing rail infrastructure to reduce emissions and traffic congestion caused by Port activities. The Port is investing $1 billion in on-dock rail to put them #OnTrackForTomorrow.