The Port of Long Beach, California has released the findings of their 2015 emissions inventory that reveals the impact of terminal congestion on air quality.
According to the report, pollution has been cut however, ships anchoring at the port in early 2015 are still leaving their effects on current air quality.
An annual inventory found that since 2005 particulate matter has been cut by 84%. Compared to the 2014 inventory, a 1% reduction was achieved in 2015.
Sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions were 97% lower than in 2005. This figure was present in both 2015 and 2014 reports.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were down 48% and 14% respectively. In 2014, NOx had dropped by 50% and GHGs by 21% compared with 2005, while annual container traffic increased by 7% during the same period.
Despite the port’s emissions mitigation methods, such as the Clean Trucks Program, low-sulphur fuel regulations, increased use of shore power and the Green Flag Vessel Speed Reduction Program, the figures prove that since 2014 emissions have increased again. The report attributes this to the number of ships that have been anchored due to increased congestion.
Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán commented: “The latest emissions inventory shows the effects of last year’s congestion and increased ships at anchor.” He also said “While we’ve had challenges, we continue to be committed to reaching our goal of zero-emissions operations. We are steadfast in our commitment to improving air quality for the region now and over the long term as evidenced by our recently approved $46 million mitigation grant program.”
The annual emissions inventory is reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Air Resources Board and South Coast Air Quality Management District.
To view the compete emissions inventory, please click here.
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