Pacific Maritime Association

THE YEAR IN REVIEW The Environment Clean Truck Programs Roll Ahead The clean truck program at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach went into full effect in January 2012, banning any vehicles with engines produced in 2006 or earlier. As set forth in the ports��� joint Clean Air Action Plan, the clean trucks program has led to an 80 percent decrease in port truck emissions in the region from 2008 levels, which equates to a reduction of more than 40 tons of diesel particulate matter annually. The program has led to huge changes in the composition of the fleet of trucks that carry cargo to and from the nation���s largest port complex, steering motor carriers to invest more than $1 billion toward a fleet of 11,000 newer, cleaner trucks at marine terminals, including vehicles powered by natural gas. Among several other clean vehicle initiatives at ports along the West Coast, the Port of Tacoma expanded eligibility for its clean truck program, offering financial incentives for the purchase of newer lower-emission vehicles to motor carriers in Pierce County operating trucks with engines predating 1998. By 2015, 80 percent of trucks operating at the Port of Tacoma must have engines produced in 2007 or later. This effort is a key component of the port���s effort to meet the goals set by the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, which calls for an 80 percent reduction in diesel emissions from port activities in the Pacific Northwest by 2015. In January, the Institute of Transportation at UC Berkeley published the results of a study analyzing the effects of the Port of Oakland���s Comprehensive Truck Management Program. The research team measured levels of air pollutants prior to the first phase of the program, which kicked off in January 2010 and required all port trucks with engines produced in 2003 or earlier to be equipped with a particulate-reducing filter. Six months after Clean truck programs have reduced emissions at Oakland, above, and at other major ports. this regulation went into effect, the researchers took new samples and discovered a 50 percent reduction in diesel emissions and a 40 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions. Vessel Emission Reductions In San Pedro Bay The Port of Los Angeles adopted the Voluntary Environmental Ship Index (ESI) Program in July 2012 to reward vessel operators for reducing air emissions and utilizing clean technologies, with six shipping lines as inaugural participants. This program rewards operators for bringing their newest, cleanest vessels and technology to the port, with a goal of significantly reducing both diesel emissions and nitrogen oxide. Up to 30 percent of ships that call at the port are initially expected to qualify for the incentives, which would anticipate an annual reduction of 16 tons of diesel emissions. The ESI was developed by the International Association of Ports and Harbors��� World Ports Climate Initiative, and a number of major European ports are already participants in the program. Each ship���s score is calculated by the level of its diesel and nitrogen oxide emissions, its ability to connect to shore-side electrical power and its energy efficiency management plan. The higher the ship���s ESI score, the greater the incentive granted by the port. The Port of Los Angeles is the first port in North America to implement the program. Similar to the Port of Los Angeles��� emission reduction program, the Port of Long Beach rolled out the Green Ship Incentive Program in July 2012 to motivate cargo carriers to invest in new ships and technology. The port rates incoming vessels according to standards established by the International Maritime Organization; ���Tier 2��� ships, with engines made in 2011 or later, will receive a baseline incentive of $2,500 per ship call, with higher incentives projected for even cleaner ���Tier 3��� vessels that will become available industry-wide in 2016. The program seeks to cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 2,700 tons annually by 2023. Already, the number of Tier 2 ships calling at the port has increased significantly. While these efforts are underway, a broader look at emissions in the region shows promise. As part of the Clean Air Action Plan, emissions from all port activities in the San Pedro Bay are assessed in the annual Inventory of Air Emissions, which measures pollution from ocean-going vessels, harbor craft, cargo handling equipment, railroad locomotives and heavy-duty vehicles. The 2012 Inventory, which contains data leading up to 2011, reported a 19 percent reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions in the region since 2005, led by emission reduction efforts at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. PACIFIC MARITIME ASSOCIATION 21

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