Clean Air Action Plan Stakeholder Advisory Meeting Summary
Summary provided by Cory Shumaker, CHBC Development Specialist
The San Pedro Bay Ports (Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach) updated the public on progress toward the goals of its Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) during a videoconference meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, via Zoom.
Regular advisory meetings were called for as part of the CAAP Update approved by the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor Commissions in November 2017. To date, the ports have held nine public meetings under the CAAP 2017 Update. The first meeting of 2020 was held in person on Jan. 15, with the second held via videoconference on June 24. Information about prior meetings can be found here.
The CAAP 2017 Update is a comprehensive strategy for accelerating progress toward a zero-emission future while protecting and strengthening the ports’ competitive position in the global economy. Since 2005, port-related air pollution emissions in San Pedro Bay have dropped 87% for diesel particulate matter, 58% for nitrogen oxides, 97% for sulfur oxides and 13% for greenhouse gases. The Clean Air Action Plan was originally approved in 2006.
The ports took public comments at the advisory meeting to receive input on CAAP implementation. The agenda is posted on the CAAP website’s Stakeholder Advisory Group page prior to the meeting. The following are notes taken during the meeting:
- The Port of LA (POLA) is down 12% on TEU movement on the year through August; August and September are very high volumes which is expected to continue into October as retailers continue to restock their shelves.
- In terms of near-zero and zero emission projects, POLA currently have 27 near-ZE and 107 ZE equipment; funded with a total of $152 million, mostly from public funds.
- Electric yard tractors are able to perform a full shift without having to stop work to charge. However, they have been having occasional unforeseen issues.
- Electric top handlers have been accepted by labor with no issues about how the machines drive. There have been issues with enough battery energy onboard to complete a duty cycle in Pier J.
- 9 diesel RTG cranes on Pier J are being converted to electric.
- POLA is expecting to have 5 of the 10 Kenworth/Toyota Class 8 trucks by the end of the year.
- Ontario heavy-duty Shell hydrogen station is in last stages of commissioning.
- Port of Long Beach heavy-duty Shell hydrogen station should be completed in January/February.
- More information on projects can be found here:
- Currently 20 zero emission trucks being used in the Port Drayage Truck Registry.
- Rate collection mechanism is underway for the Clean Truck Fund Rate. A tariff amendment will be required for final implementation
- Near-zero emission truck exemptions continue to be evaluated.
- Starting in 2023, only trucks certified to CARB’s near-zero standard will be allowed to register in the port drayage truck registry. The CARB certification is under development.
- Starting in 2035, only zero emission trucks will be allowed to register in the port drayage truck registry. Further to the Governor’s Executive Order, all drayage trucks will be zero emissions by 2035. ARB is working on an “in-use” rule over the next 12-18 months.
- Board has asked Ports for a draft strategy to get to 100% zero emission drayage trucks by 2035, which should be available for public review in the coming weeks.
- Ports will be putting out an RFI on a private equity financing concept in the coming weeks.
- The two ports will be doing a truck OEM summit to identify the actions of key stakeholders and policymakers needed to build and transition to a market for ZE trucks; and to obtain commitments from stakeholders to take coordinated action. The two scheduled workshops will be on 1) Production and Financing 2) Infrastructure and Policy. Workshops will be held in the next 4-6 weeks. The workshops will culminate in an OEM/Public Stakeholder Summit.
- Port of LA/LB in January completed and posted a concept paper on a ZE large scale drayage truck pilot program : https://cleanairactionplan.org/documents/zero-emissions-large-scale-drayage-truck-pilot-program-concept-paper.pdf/
- The Ports plan to partner with SCAQMD and other regional partners to prepare a comprehensive proposal to the upcoming CARB/CEC grant funding opportunity for a zero-emission drayage and pilot project.
- For more information on the Clean Air Action Plan and the Clean Truck Fund Rate visit cleanairactionplan.org.