Port Pollution Challenge

Los Angeles Port, near where I live, has a pollution problem. Because of this the areas right next to the port are not the most desirable to eat, even though they are right on the ocean. The problem is caused by trucks for moving the good from ships and the ships themselves. The ships use a lower grade of fuel that is lower cost, called bunker fuel, but pollutes more. People living in the area have a 100 times greater cancer rate than others in California.

Different projects are underway to reduce the pollution in Los Angeles:

1. Require newer trucks that are less polluting for moving cargo.
2. Have docked ships use shore electricity when docked, instead of using their diesel generators.
3. Increase the use of trains for moving goods out of the port. The Alameda corridor is part of this effort.

Much of the effort is voluntary and is going slow. Due to this there may be some lawsuits filed if things don't pick up. The sad thing is official data showing that each $1 invested in cleaning or preventing pollution returns between $3 and $8 in avoided costs for healthcare and lost workdays. A challenge is the port does not see this cost, so they don't have an incentive to clean up the pollution. Port usage and pollution are increasing, and as pollution has been reduced in other areas the ports are becoming a larger source of pollution. The port of Los Angeles for example, is the largest source of pollution in the Los Angeles area. The state of California, per this PBS report, believes 1200 people die each year due to pollution from the port. asthma rates are twice the national average.