The Port of Long Beach in the US state of California will spend $2.4 million from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help improve pollution levels and work towards the zero-emission goals of the recently approved Clean Air Action Plan.
The money will convert three rubber-tired gantry cranes belonging to Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) to all-electric operations and provide four tugboats belonging to Foss Maritime and Curtin Maritime with the newest and cleanest engines available.
The completion of the project is set for the end of 2019.
Over the next two decades, the projects are expected to reduce carbon dioxide by 15,606 tons, nitrogen oxide by 1,649 tons, carbon monoxide by 267 tons, diesel particulate matter by 61 tons and hydrocarbons by 40 tons.
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The EPA funds come from the 2005 Diesel Emission Reduction Act, which gives grants to state, local and tribal governments for programs to reduce emissions from diesel engines.
It is estimated that there is $13 worth of health and environmental benefits for every $1 allocated by the Act.
Since 2005, the Port has received $14.2 million in grants from the EPA to reduce emissions associated with operations.
In total, the Port’s environmental initiatives and industry’s cooperative efforts have helped cut diesel emissions by 88% since 2005.
Lou Anne Bynum, Harbor Commission President, said: “Every step we take to cut air pollution is one toward our ultimate goal of being the world’s first zero-emission seaport.
“We thank the EPA for providing funds to facilitate these projects and improve the health of our community.”
