The Port of Oakland has approved a new funding plan that will be "a bold step to address community and environmental concerns about impacts on air quality from its maritime operations", the port authority has announced.
"We are working with our partners to achieve our goal that, by the year 2020, the port will have cut the health risk from diesel particulate matter at our seaport by 85%," said Omar Benjamin, port executive director.
The plan includes new container fees to support the $520 million funding proposal for pollution reduction initiatives and infrastructure improvements.
It will focus on replacing the out-dated truck fleet at the port but also include "ways of reducing ship idling emissions while the vessels are docked at the port".
Oakland will be one of a number of ports in California required to meet cold ironing targets under new rules being developed by the California Air Resources Board (ARB).
The 85% air pollution reduction target will be based on the 2005 emissions inventory, released earlier this year.
In the inventory, ocean-going vessels were the largest source of emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulphur oxides (SOx) by significant margins.
Excluding transit, ships at dock were responsible for 22% of PM, 19% of NOx, and 33% of SOx.
With transit included, ships produced over 90% of SOx emissions from port activities.
The approval of the plan by the port authority received support from local agencies.
"This maritime air quality policy statement will lay the groundwork to reduce port pollution and support a healthy community," said Jack Broadbent, Chief Executive Officer of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The seven-member board of the port voted unanimously last week to support the plan.
"We share Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums’ vision for an Oakland with reduced environmental impacts, sustainable development and collaboration with the community to create more benefits for local residents," executive director Benjamin said.
"We are working with our partners to achieve our goal that, by the year 2020, the port will have cut the health risk from diesel particulate matter at our seaport by 85%," said Omar Benjamin, port executive director.
The plan includes new container fees to support the $520 million funding proposal for pollution reduction initiatives and infrastructure improvements.
It will focus on replacing the out-dated truck fleet at the port but also include "ways of reducing ship idling emissions while the vessels are docked at the port".
Oakland will be one of a number of ports in California required to meet cold ironing targets under new rules being developed by the California Air Resources Board (ARB).
The 85% air pollution reduction target will be based on the 2005 emissions inventory, released earlier this year.
In the inventory, ocean-going vessels were the largest source of emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulphur oxides (SOx) by significant margins.
Excluding transit, ships at dock were responsible for 22% of PM, 19% of NOx, and 33% of SOx.
With transit included, ships produced over 90% of SOx emissions from port activities.
The approval of the plan by the port authority received support from local agencies.
"This maritime air quality policy statement will lay the groundwork to reduce port pollution and support a healthy community," said Jack Broadbent, Chief Executive Officer of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
The seven-member board of the port voted unanimously last week to support the plan.
"We share Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums’ vision for an Oakland with reduced environmental impacts, sustainable development and collaboration with the community to create more benefits for local residents," executive director Benjamin said.