A clean air technology program at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pacific Southwest Region’s 2010 Environmental Achievement Award. The Technology Advancement Program is a jointly created and funded initiative launched in November 2006 to accelerate the commercialization of port-related emissions reduction technologies through testing and demonstration projects. The program is a key component of the San Pedro Bay Ports’ Clean Air Action Plan aimed at developing mitigation strategies to reduce air emissions and health risks while allowing port development to continue.
“Our Technology Advancement Program is an excellent example of what can be achieved when entities join forces and embrace innovation to better the environment,” says Geraldine Knatz, Port of Los Angeles executive director. “We’re grateful to be recognized for seeking out and bringing the most promising green technology to fruition.”
TAP focuses on identifying, demonstrating and evaluating new and innovative technologies that have significant potential to reduce air pollutants, including diesel soot, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides. The program also is aimed at facilitating the commercial availability of air pollution technology and finding new ways to help meet the CAAP’s emissions reduction goals. Technologies demonstrated under the TAP often have the additional benefit of reducing greenhouse gases and fuel consumption as well.
“We’ve nurtured some of the most exciting new air pollution control technology in the world with the Technology Advancement Program – hybrid tugboats, energy-saving cranes, natural gas trucks – and more is on the way,” says Richard Steinke, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. “It’s a forward-thinking program that takes green goods movement ideas and puts them to work. This award is greatly appreciated by port staff and harbor commissioners.”
