LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2017 — The following is a statement from Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum:
With yesterday’s approval of the updated Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), the leadership of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (POLA and POLB) took a positive step toward improving the air quality for the surrounding communities and ensuring the long-term economic viability of the ports.
Ultimately, this Action Plan will deliver faster emissions reductions at a cheaper cost, offering a better outcome for the local communities and businesses that serve the ports. It balances continued environmental progress with proven technology that delivers consistent near-term emissions reductions while also wisely investing in the future with promising but still unproven or unavailable technologies. The plan also challenges industry to achieve greater emissions reductions from existing technologies.
The Plan’s approval by the harbor commissions of both ports is in line with what California voters desire. According to a recent survey of 2,190 registered California voters, 64 percent of Californians believe investments in clean transportation should be balanced by continued use of existing, abundant and low-cost clean technologies and fuels such as clean diesel, at least until alternative energy sources are more available. Some 75 percent of registered voters agree Californiamust balance its investments between proven technologies and those that might benefit the future.
The survey, conducted by JB Research last spring for the Diesel Technology Forum, has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
Clean diesel technology has a proven track record of helping POLA and POLB lower emissions, achieving soot reduction goals five years ahead of schedule. The requirement for a switch to newer generation trucks in the 2012 plan saw the overwhelming majority of truckers choose clean diesel over other fuels. The net result was that the ports have already achieved their particle matter (PM) emissions reduction targets set for 2023, and are very close to achieving their NOx reduction goal ahead of schedule.
The newest generation of clean diesel technology achieves near-zero levels of emissions for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and PM. It also maintains an efficiency and performance advantage over other fuels. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent National Port Strategy Assessment:
- Replacing a model year 2007 Class 8 drayage truck with a model year 2010 or newer diesel can reduce NOx emissions by 221 lbs. per year. Replacing the roughly 8,800 model year 2007 to 2009 port trucks now in use with clean diesel technology made after model year 2010, POLA and POLB could reduce emissions by 1.9 million lbs. of NOx. This is equivalent to taking more than 600,000 passenger cars off the road.
- Replacing a single old engine powering a switch locomotive with a Tier 4 model can reduce NOx emissions by 37,000 lbs. of NOx and 974 lbs. of PM. Replacing the older engine in the wide variety of marine workboats including tugs and ferries can have equally significant emissions reductions.
About The Diesel Technology Forum
The Diesel Technology Forum is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of diesel engines, fuel and technology. Forum members are leaders in clean diesel technology and represent the three key elements of the modern clean-diesel system: advanced engines, vehicles and equipment, cleaner diesel fuel and emissions-control systems. For more information visit www.dieselforum.org.
Connect with the Diesel Technology Forum
For the latest insights and information from the leaders in clean diesel technology, join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @DieselTechForum, or YouTube @DieselTechForum and connect with us on LinkedIn. Get it all by subscribing to our newsletter Diesel Direct for a weekly wrap-up of clean diesel news, policy analysis and more direct to your inbox.
