Environment: Los Angeles
Port of Los Angeles Moves Forward With Emission-Reducing Crane Replacement Project
The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has authorized plans by SA Recycling to replace an older diesel mobile crane with a new mobile crane that will initially be operated with a cleaner Tier 4 diesel engine and then transition to an all-electric mode when an electrification project is complete before the end of January 2017. After January 2017, it will run solely on electricity except for no more than 12 hours per year for standard maintenance.
The crane will be used at SA Recycling’s scrap metal recycling, processing and export operations at the Port of Los Angeles.
The project is being funded in part by a $1.3 million Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant by the U.S. to the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department. The remaining cost of the $5 million crane replacement project will be covered by SA Recycling, which will own, operate and maintain the crane at the port. This project aligns with EPA’s plan to reduce emissions from diesel fleets and thereby reduce the local air pollution.
"Replacing older equipment with new greener technology is one of many strategies that the port and our customers are pursuing to improve air quality in our surrounding communities and greater Los Angeles air basin," said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. "This project is also a great example of how public-private partnerships can be leveraged to make air quality improvements happen."
The new crane will be used to load processed metals onto vessels to be shipped overseas. Replacing a 950-horsepower diesel-powered "Tier 2" crane, the newly installed "Tier 4" engine will eliminate 74 tons of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), three tons of particulate matter, three tons of hydrocarbons, and 14 tons of carbon monoxide emissions during the life of the equipment. The electric engine will also reduce greenhouse gases and noise.
The harbor board’s action included adoption of the Final Initial Study/Negative Declaration that determined that there were no adverse impacts associated with the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The board also approved issuance of a Coastal Development Permit needed to move the project forward. The permit approval followed the close of a public comment period in which no negative comments were received about the proposed project.
The company operates more than 60 recycling facilities in California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. It has been a Port of Los Angeles tenant since 1962.