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Air Quality Brochure
Notice: The San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan was developed jointly by the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, with the cooperation and participation of the staff of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board, and South Coast Air Quality Management District. This sweeping plan is aimed at significantly reducing the health risks posed by air pollution from port-related ships, trains, trucks, terminal equipment and harbor craft over the next five years.
Air Quality Program
The movement of consumer goods and other trade-related activities at the Port accounts for about 10% of the total emissions of diesel particulate matter (diesel PM) in the South Coast Air Basin, and a similar proportion of the nitrogen oxides (NOx). Reducing those emissions is a top priority for the Port.
Ships, trucks, trains, and cargo-handling equipment in the Port of Long Beach emit about 48 tons of NOx and 2.5 tons of diesel PM per day, as well as other pollutants. NOx is a key contributor to smog formation in the region and diesel PM has been identified as containing air contaminants that are harmful to human health. As cargo volumes continue to increase, the Port, along with the goods movement industry and local, state and federal government agencies, must determine how to keep the amount of air pollutants from growing at the same pace. The Port’s Green Port air quality projects, which have already won awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California, will be a part of the solution.
Program Goal
- Reduce air pollution from Port activities
The Port has several methods of measuring progress toward the goals of its air quality projects. These metrics include the amount of pollution emitted by each source category (e.g., ships, trucks, trains, equipment) per unit of cargo handled and the reductions in those emissions. The Port has calculated that metric for cargo handling equipment and future reports will include all other sources as well. For some programs, specific metrics are not appropriate, and for those the Port will report new developments and activities as they occur.
Recent Accomplishments
Emissions Inventory -- The Port recently released its 2002 - 2005 air emissions inventory. Click here for more information.
Marine Vessels –The Port initiated the Green Flag Incentive Program and dedicated as much as $2.2 million a year toward financial incentives to improve compliance. The Port's goal is to bring 100 percent of all visiting vessels in compliance with the program.
Shoreside Electricity (Cold-Ironing) – With British Petroleum (BP), initiated a voluntary project to install shore-side electrical power at Berth T-121 and wiring and plugs on two BP tankers, which will cold-iron whenever they call Long Beach. This project is projected to reduce emissions by at least 22 tons of NOx and 0.8 tons of diesel PM per year. Initiated a master plan for upgrading the Port’s electrical infrastructure to accommodate cold-ironing throughout the Port; the plan will be completed in 2006. The Port has also begun to build new infrastructure at Pier G to accomodate shoreside electricity for container ships. The Port's goal is to provide electrical infrastructure for shore-side power (cold-ironing) at 100% of container terminals and at other major facilities as appropriate.
Cargo-Handling Equipment –The Port and its tenants have reduced emissions from terminal equipment by nearly 600 tons of NOx and more than 70 tons of diesel PM a year compared to 2002, which represent reductions of 24% and 50%, respectively. [Fig 12] This has been accomplished through 1) the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program and 2) accelerated replacement (modernization) of the equipment fleets, and has occurred even while cargo tonnage has increased by 30%. In the emission reduction program, the Port, EPA and the California Air Resources Board spent more than $2 million to retrofit more than 600 pieces of cargo-handling equipment with diesel oxidation catalysts; half of those are using clean diesel fuel. Goal: To reduce, by 2010, the emissions per ton of cargo from terminal cargo-handling equipment by 90% compared to 2002 levels. Note: This program has achieved its goal of 100% participation by the major terminals.
Locomotives –Committed $5 million (toward a total shared project cost of $23 million) to replace all Pacific Harbor Lines locomotives with cleaner units by 2008, use emulsified diesel and idling controls, and test diesel hybrid and liquefied natural gas locomotives. Goal: By 2010, to reduce locomotive emissions by 66% for NOx and 79% for diesel PM per year (corresponding to 226 tons and 5.9 tons, respectively).
Port Vehicles – Retrofitted the Port’s diesel-powered maintenance equipment to diesel oxidation catalysts and a clean diesel fuel mixed with ethanol, purchased three liquefied petroleum gas (propane)-fueled sweepers, and began replacement of the gasoline-powered fleet with compressed natural gas-powered and hybrid vehicles. Goal: To convert 100% of the Port’s fleet to cleaner vehicles.
Air Monitoring Stations – The Port has spent $1.1 million to install and operate two air monitoring stations to sample and report via the Port website on air quality, including concentrations of key pollutants.
Coke Dust Fallout – The installation of $34 million worth of new equipment and technology has reduced the proportion of petroleum coke dust in particulate fallout from 21 percent in 1996 to 4 percent in 2005, a reduction of more than 80%. Goal: To minimize or eliminate petroleum coke fallout from transport, storage, and handling operations.
In Progress
Vessel Stack Blows – Harbor Patrol cites vessels emitting excessive smoke. With the adoption of the Green Port Policy, increased enforcement has resulted in increased compliance. Goal: To minimize or eliminate incidences of excessive smoke from vessels at berth.
Green Port Lease Requirements –The Port has developed, and will incorporate into new and renegotiated leases, new environmental language that will require selected vessels to use shore-side power, exhaust control technology, and cleaner fuels at berth. The Port will require terminals to use clean diesel fuel and replace cargo-handling equipment to meet EPA’s tougher Tier 4 standards for diesel engines. The Port has signed two Green Leases so far, with International Transportation Services at Pier G and Matson at Pier C. Goal: To incorporate environmental measures into all new leases.
Clean Construction Program –The Port is requiring contractors to use ultra-low-sulfur diesel in construction equipment and to use electric-powered dredges, and will require cleaner engines, oxidation catalysts, alternative fuels, and electric equipment wherever feasible. Goal: To maximize the use of clean fuels and low-emission engines in construction equipment.
Upcoming Activities
Vessel Main Engine Retrofit – The Port is funding and working with an interagency group that is testing emission control technologies for oceangoing vessel main engines, with the goal of reducing the largest source of diesel PM.
Regional Planning – As a member of an Air Quality Management District Advisory Committee, the Port is helping to develop the region’s Air Quality Management Plan.
Informational Graphics
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