Ports Clean Air Action Plan Improves - But Still Lacks Firm Goals and Details for Funding and Emissions Reductions

Press Release

November 7, 2006

Contact: Annette Kondo

213-630-1192 x. 103
818-599-4911 (cell)
Annette@coalitionforcleanair.org

Ports Clean Air Action Plan Improves
But Still Lacks Firm Goals and Details for Funding and Emissions Reductions

The final version of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) includes more recommendations, including creative approaches to retrofit and replace polluting trucks, but it lacks specific goals and timetables that are the backbone of an action plan.

The CAAP will be voted on at a special Monday, Nov. 20 joint meeting of the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor commissioners.

"A number of details remain to be resolved," said Martin Schlageter, Campaign and Advocacy Director for the Coalition for Clean Air. "But we're ready to get this plan to the next stage and finally start cleaning up the air."

The final CAAP released on Nov. 6 needs more specifics on several key components requested by environmental and community advocates and the Coalition for Clean Air:

Specific emission reduction goals. The CAAP recognizes the need for specific emission reduction goals to drive the plan, but they are still not included in this latest draft. (e.g. Reducing air pollution levels to 2001 levels by 2010)
.
Funding sources. The CAAP says regulatory agencies and the ports will pursue sources of funding, including fees and "legislative solutions," but lacks specifics and a commitment to use them.
.
Shore-side power requirements. The CAAP states that terminals will be retrofitted to offer shore-side electrical power (also known as "cold-ironing" or plug-in power) for ships. But the plan does not include specific requirements for ships to actually use this power source.
.
Specific port-wide clean fuel requirements. The CAAP states it will do a legal analysis for port-wide fuel requirements, but it has not committed to implementing them for all ships and establishing the necessary mechanisms to enforce such a requirement.

The Coalition for Clean Air and NRDC worked with more than 20 environmental, community and labor groups to submit detailed comments to the CAAP draft in the summer.

The final plan can be viewed at the two port websites:
http://www.polb.com and http://www.portoflosangeles.org

The Nov. 20 special harbor commission meeting will be held at 1 p.m. at the Long Beach City Council Chambers, 333 W. Ocean Boulevard.

# # #

>> Press Release Archives <<