Photo by Sarah Bennett
Since 2006, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles have engaged in efforts to grow the size and capacities of their respective ports while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint and implementing state-of-the-art green technologies.
This year, both ports recorded their lowest diesel emissions since the implementation of the program in the midst of steady growth and infrastructure improvements.
Both ports have been steadily been reporting improvements in air quality at the various monitoring stations and levels have been to be as much as 75% lower than 2006 levels for elemental carbon, and as much as 40% lower than 2011 levels. This success can be attributed to the collaboration between the both the ports and the private sector companies that operate within in the port complexes. The Port of Long Beach implemented it’s Clean Air Action Plan in 2010, which has provided private sector investors with incentives to utilize the greenest and cleanest technologies in their operations.
“The continued improvement of air quality in and around the Port of Los Angeles is impressive,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “It’s the result of strong cooperation and willingness between the port and industry stakeholders to work together, make investments and demonstrate how we can continually grow the port as a regional economic engine, but grow it green at the same time.”
{loadposition latestbusiness}These are sentiments that have been often shared by Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, something he has proven with the implementation of public/private partnerships to help grow and green the business community.
The key to the success of both ports has been the willingness and enthusiasm of business to participate in many of these programs voluntarily. However, this is now being threatened by the actions of several regulatory agencies, specifically the Southern California Air Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board. These two agencies have been in a race to impose the strictest regulations on industry in an effort to clean California’s air.
Taking this sticks-over-carrots approach can be dangerous. In many instances, companies are already doing what these agencies are starting to require, which takes away grant opportunities for private industry for voluntarily going above and beyond the letter of the law. Instead of companies being rewarded for being leaders, they will, in essence, be penalized by losing out on opportunities to help subsidize important capitol improvement projects.
No one will argue the importance of clean air, however, we must make sure that we are not threatening jobs and the economy while creating a better quality of life.
Zero emissions are not going to happen overnight, but the steady investment to create these new technologies and reduce emissions steadily is what we need to be focused on. It is now more important than ever to impose attainable bench marks for business, work collaboratively to invent new technologies and continue to emit less as we produce more.
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