Last Thursday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Obama cabinet member Lisa P. Jackson toured the Port of Long Beach to discuss ongoing and future efforts to reduce environmental impacts from Port development and operations affecting the air, water, and land. Since 2008, the Port of Long Beach has been awarded more than $12 million in funding from the U.S. EPA to upgrade vessels and terminal equipment to benefit the environment.
As part of her activities leading up to Earth Day, Administrator Jackson also met with students as they conducted data analysis of marine samples on board a unique floating classroom at the Port of Los Angeles. In addition, Jackson presented local high school students with the President’s Environmental Youth Award for their work educating the public and decision makers on the issue of large container ships killing whales in the Santa Barbara Channel.
The tour was part of a two day visit to Southern California to meet with community leaders, students, and stakeholders to discuss the Agency’s recent actions to protect people’s health and the environment.