Environment: Los Angeles, Oakland, Port Everglades
Print this Article | Send to Colleague
Los Angeles: Port Reports Reduction in Key Air Pollutants
Findings from its 10th consecutive year of tracking air pollution show the Port of Los Angeles has set new records for cutting harmful emissions from port-related sources, with diesel particulate matter (DPM) down 85 percent and sulfur oxides (SOx) down 97 percent since 2005. The data also show the port has surpassed its 2014 emission reduction goals set in 2010 for DPM, SOx and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
The port’s 2014 Inventory of Air Emissions reports NOx emissions are down 52 percent. The percentage fell slightly from the port’s best year for NOx reduction – 57 percent in 2013 – largely due, the port says, to congestion experienced during fall 2014.
"Our strategies for operating a sustainable port withstood the cargo congestion challenges we faced in late 2014," said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. "With the ongoing investments in clean technology made by the Los Angeles Harbor Department, our customers and supply chain stakeholders, we are committed to forge ahead with measures that protect these gains and continue to reduce emissions."
The detailed inventory measures emissions of key pollutants from ships, trucks, locomotives, cargo handling equipment and small harbor craft. The latest findings are based on data collected during calendar year 2014. The baseline is 2005, the year before the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) was adopted, allowing the port to measure the full impact of the comprehensive program from the start.
Much of the progress in 2014 is attributable to vessel emission reduction measures. They include plugging into shore power under the state’s at-berth regulation, which took effect January 1, 2014. At least half of most container, refrigerated and cruise ships calling at California’s six largest ports are now required to run their auxiliary engines on shore-based electricity, which eliminates virtually all emissions while a vessel is at berth.
Also in 2014, the state required vessels entering California waters to switch to the cleanest available marine fuel. As of January 1, 2014, ships must run on fuel whose sulfur content is at or below 0.1 percent within 24 nautical miles of the California coast. The regulation took effect a full year ahead of the requirement now in place out to 200 nautical miles for all North America.
Participation in the port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program to reduce emissions remains high. In 2014, 95 percent of ships calling slowed to 12 knots within 20 nautical miles of the port and 84 percent did so within 20 to 40 nautical miles.
"These measures were crucial to last year’s breakthroughs because ships remain the largest single source of air pollution from port-related sources," said Christopher Cannon, the port’s director of environmental management. "The benefits of shore power are expected to grow in the coming years as the practice becomes routine and the state phases in higher mandatory compliance rates."
Vessels also played a major role in the 6 percent uptick of NOx emissions in 2014. During the temporary period of congestion, container ships waiting at anchor increased 69 percent from the previous year. Since plugging into shore-based electricity to power auxiliary engines was not an option, emissions increased. The short-lived situation carried over into early 2015 and will be a factor in next year’s inventory.
The port met both DPM milestones (72 percent and 77 percent) two years ago, and exceeded the 2014 NOx target (22 percent) in 2009. Even with last year’s increase in NOx emissions, the port is only 8 percentage points away from meeting its 2023 target of a 59 percent reduction in NOx.
The port set the same SOx reduction target for both years: 93 percent. The 2014 inventory shows the port has now met and surpassed that goal. The rapid turnover of the truck fleet under the Clean Truck Program led to many of the early gains.
Additionally, DPM is used to measure the port’s progress in lowering the health risk of harmful emissions to the region. With the goal of reducing the risk 85 percent by 2020, the Port is one percentage point shy of its target, based on having cut DPM emissions 84 percent.
The port’s success also continues to be reflected in the dwindling share of emissions its activity contributes to the South Coast Air Basin. The region is home to more than 16.8 million people in urban portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties and all of Orange County.
Today, only 2.1 percent of all SOx emissions in the South Coast Air Basin are attributable to port operations compared with 25 percent in 2005. DPM emissions from the port account for 4.8 percent of the region’s total, less than half of what they measured in 2005. NOx emissions are 4.3 percent, down from 5 percent in 2005.
DPM is a toxic contaminant and known carcinogen, and NOx and SOx are key components of smog. The Port also tracks greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, down 15 percent since 2005, which contribute to global warming and are associated with climate change. The port’s progress in curbing GHG emissions support the state’s goal of an 80 percent reduction based on 1990 levels by 2050.
94 percent reduction in carbon monoxide
92 percent reduction in oxides of nitrogen
44 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter
41 percent reduction in hydrocarbons
"These reductions represent another great step towards our progress in meeting the Port’s goal of reducing health risk related to diesel particulate matter emissions by 85 percent," said Richard Sinkoff, the port’s director of environmental programs and planning.
The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by December 2016.
Port Everglades Receives Its First LEED Certification
Port Everglades has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for Cruise Terminal 4. The facility underwent many energy-efficient improvements when it was expanded and completely renovated during the past year. It is the port’s first LEED certification.
Construction features that made the terminal LEED eligible include:
Recycled concrete and asphalt used in the building's construction
Low-water usage toilets, urinals, and fixtures
Energy-efficient lighting inside and outside as well as natural lighting within the terminal
Energy-efficient air conditioning and windows
Remote control of the lighting and air conditioning systems, which is part of the port's overall energy management program
Use of regional materials manufactured within 500 miles of the port
Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) products used for paint, coating, flooring and adhesives
"We decided to renovate Cruise Terminal 4 specifically to comply with LEED guidelines because the certification is widely recognized and it supports Broward County's sustainability efforts to make buildings more energy efficient and invest in renewable and alternative energy technologies," said Port Chief Executive Steven Cernak, PPM®.
Findings from its 10th consecutive year of tracking air pollution show the Port of Los Angeles has set new records for cutting harmful emissions from port-related sources, with diesel particulate matter (DPM) down 85 percent and sulfur oxides (SOx) down 97 percent since 2005. The data also show the port has surpassed its 2014 emission reduction goals set in 2010 for DPM, SOx and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
The port’s 2014 Inventory of Air Emissions reports NOx emissions are down 52 percent. The percentage fell slightly from the port’s best year for NOx reduction – 57 percent in 2013 – largely due, the port says, to congestion experienced during fall 2014.
"Our strategies for operating a sustainable port withstood the cargo congestion challenges we faced in late 2014," said Port Executive Director Gene Seroka. "With the ongoing investments in clean technology made by the Los Angeles Harbor Department, our customers and supply chain stakeholders, we are committed to forge ahead with measures that protect these gains and continue to reduce emissions."
The detailed inventory measures emissions of key pollutants from ships, trucks, locomotives, cargo handling equipment and small harbor craft. The latest findings are based on data collected during calendar year 2014. The baseline is 2005, the year before the San Pedro Bay Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) was adopted, allowing the port to measure the full impact of the comprehensive program from the start.
Much of the progress in 2014 is attributable to vessel emission reduction measures. They include plugging into shore power under the state’s at-berth regulation, which took effect January 1, 2014. At least half of most container, refrigerated and cruise ships calling at California’s six largest ports are now required to run their auxiliary engines on shore-based electricity, which eliminates virtually all emissions while a vessel is at berth.
Also in 2014, the state required vessels entering California waters to switch to the cleanest available marine fuel. As of January 1, 2014, ships must run on fuel whose sulfur content is at or below 0.1 percent within 24 nautical miles of the California coast. The regulation took effect a full year ahead of the requirement now in place out to 200 nautical miles for all North America.
Participation in the port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program to reduce emissions remains high. In 2014, 95 percent of ships calling slowed to 12 knots within 20 nautical miles of the port and 84 percent did so within 20 to 40 nautical miles.
"These measures were crucial to last year’s breakthroughs because ships remain the largest single source of air pollution from port-related sources," said Christopher Cannon, the port’s director of environmental management. "The benefits of shore power are expected to grow in the coming years as the practice becomes routine and the state phases in higher mandatory compliance rates."
Vessels also played a major role in the 6 percent uptick of NOx emissions in 2014. During the temporary period of congestion, container ships waiting at anchor increased 69 percent from the previous year. Since plugging into shore-based electricity to power auxiliary engines was not an option, emissions increased. The short-lived situation carried over into early 2015 and will be a factor in next year’s inventory.
The port met both DPM milestones (72 percent and 77 percent) two years ago, and exceeded the 2014 NOx target (22 percent) in 2009. Even with last year’s increase in NOx emissions, the port is only 8 percentage points away from meeting its 2023 target of a 59 percent reduction in NOx.
The port set the same SOx reduction target for both years: 93 percent. The 2014 inventory shows the port has now met and surpassed that goal. The rapid turnover of the truck fleet under the Clean Truck Program led to many of the early gains.
Additionally, DPM is used to measure the port’s progress in lowering the health risk of harmful emissions to the region. With the goal of reducing the risk 85 percent by 2020, the Port is one percentage point shy of its target, based on having cut DPM emissions 84 percent.
The port’s success also continues to be reflected in the dwindling share of emissions its activity contributes to the South Coast Air Basin. The region is home to more than 16.8 million people in urban portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties and all of Orange County.
Today, only 2.1 percent of all SOx emissions in the South Coast Air Basin are attributable to port operations compared with 25 percent in 2005. DPM emissions from the port account for 4.8 percent of the region’s total, less than half of what they measured in 2005. NOx emissions are 4.3 percent, down from 5 percent in 2005.
DPM is a toxic contaminant and known carcinogen, and NOx and SOx are key components of smog. The Port also tracks greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, down 15 percent since 2005, which contribute to global warming and are associated with climate change. The port’s progress in curbing GHG emissions support the state’s goal of an 80 percent reduction based on 1990 levels by 2050.
To ensure clean air progress continues, especially with container volume projected to grow in the years ahead, the port, along with the Port of Long Beach, reviews and updates the entire CAAP periodically. "The CAAP is a living document," Mr. Cannon said. "We revised it 2010, and we are now preparing the next update."
Oakland Awarded EPA Clean Diesel Grant
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Port of Oakland $277,885 to upgrade cargo-handling equipment and reduce exhaust emissions at TraPac, one of the port’s five marine terminals.
Under the EPA’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant, TraPac will use the funds to upgrade four rubber-tired gantry cranes and a top-pick. The equipment, which is used in containers onto trucks, will be re-engineered with clean diesel engines or exhaust filters.
According to the port, the retrofits and upgrades will result in significant emissions reductions, specifically:
"These reductions represent another great step towards our progress in meeting the Port’s goal of reducing health risk related to diesel particulate matter emissions by 85 percent," said Richard Sinkoff, the port’s director of environmental programs and planning.
The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by December 2016.
Port Everglades Receives Its First LEED Certification
Port Everglades has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for Cruise Terminal 4. The facility underwent many energy-efficient improvements when it was expanded and completely renovated during the past year. It is the port’s first LEED certification.
Construction features that made the terminal LEED eligible include:
"We decided to renovate Cruise Terminal 4 specifically to comply with LEED guidelines because the certification is widely recognized and it supports Broward County's sustainability efforts to make buildings more energy efficient and invest in renewable and alternative energy technologies," said Port Chief Executive Steven Cernak, PPM®.
Back to AAPA Seaports Advisory
