<\/div>\nSo what’s an ICTF, you ask? <\/span>This abbreviation stands for the Intermodal Container Transfer Facility, a site that’s been moving port cargo containers from trucks to trains (and vice versa) since the 1980’s. <\/span>It’s located just outside the western edge of Long Beach. <\/span>You can see its tracks and lights stretching away from the 405 freeway if you look to the south about a mile west of the 710 interchange (but if you’re driving, keep your eyes on the road, please!).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The ICTF<\/font><\/a> is governed by a Joint Powers Authority, or JPA, which includes two representatives each from the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. <\/span>It’s thus a public facility, though it is operated by Union Pacific<\/a>, a private railroad, which pays per-container fees to the JPA. <\/span>These fees help repay bonds issued to pay the original construction cost of over $55 million.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n What’s new at the ICTF is that there is a project to increase the site’s capacity for handling cargo, while at the same time reducing its physical footprint and substantially reducing its emissions through modernization of equipment – for example, electrification of the facility’s cranes. <\/span>The ICTF JPA earlier this month released a Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report to assess these facility modifications. <\/span>On Wednesday, February 11th<\/sup> between 6 and 9 p.m. there will be a scoping meeting at Stephens Middle School in Long Beach. <\/span>I’ve written about scoping<\/font><\/a> before, and will just remind readers that it’s a key opportunity to ask the JPA to consider issues that matter to you in the environmental analysis. <\/span>You have until Wednesday, February 25th<\/sup> to send in written comments.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n I had the chance to visit the ICTF a couple of years ago while attending the Faster Freight, Cleaner Air<\/font><\/a> conference in Long Beach. <\/span>We were able to tour a “genset” locomotive, a new, low-emitting design for switcher locomotives (the ones that operate inside railyards). <\/span>In it, the standard diesel-electric locomotive engine is replaced with a series of three truck-type engines, which are activated only as needed to meet power demand. <\/span>These truck-style engines are also able to take advantage of more proven technologies to reduce emissions, compared to those tested and approved for use on locomotives.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n I see that the ICTF has recently updated and expanded its web site<\/font><\/a>, and I encourage you to visit for more information. <\/span>For example, this page on environmental matters<\/font><\/a> contains several links to documents that may be of interest. <\/span>The California Air Resources Board<\/a> has been conducting health risk assessments (HRA) of emissions from rail facilities all over the state, and the ICTF’s HRA report is accessible from this page. <\/span>More recently, the railroad has developed a diesel particulate mitigation plan that would be accomplished through the planned modernization project. <\/span>The ICTF web site also includes plenty of interesting operating information, as well as a section explaining the current project<\/font><\/a>. <\/span>I hope you check it out!<\/span><\/p>\n