The Port of Long Beach’s clean-air efforts have continued dramatic reductions in air pollution, including an 87% cut in diesel emissions, according to the latest comprehensive study.
The annual emissions inventory conducted by an independent consultant is available here. In addition to diesel particulates, the study found the Port’s aggressive actions to curtail pollution have decreased smog-forming nitrogen oxides by 56% since 2005. Sulfur oxides were down 97% and greenhouse gases are 16% lower.
While emissions remain dramatically lower than they were in 2005, the Port-funded study for 2018 found a small increase in diesel particulates and greenhouse gas emissions from the previous year’s inventory. The 2017 inventory measured an 88% decrease in diesel particulates and an 18% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to the 2005 baseline year. Port officials attributed the change to record throughput of 8.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2018.
The purpose of the emissions inventory is to measure and track the overall cumulative progress of Clean Air Action Plan measures and ensure the Port is on track to meet emission reduction goals. The study calculates the amount of pollution coming from all the ships, trucks, locomotives, harbor craft and yard equipment working at the Port, with the help of terminal operators and other businesses. The results are reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.