Los Angeles Names Pollution-Reduction Panel For Port

Mayor Eric Garcetti has put together an advisory panel with the goal of reducing air pollution from the Port of Los Angeles — the single largest source of such pollution in Southern California — by deploying cleaner trucks, trains, ships and cargo-handling equipment.

In this Feb. 12, 2015 file photo, the Port of Los Angeles, with some cargo loading cranes in the upright and idle position, are seen in this view from the San Pedro area of Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti has put together an advisory panel with the goal of reducing air pollution by deploying cleaner trucks, trains, ships and cargo-handling equipment, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
In this Feb. 12, 2015 file photo, the Port of Los Angeles, with some cargo loading cranes in the upright and idle position, are seen in this view from the San Pedro area of Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti has put together an advisory panel with the goal of reducing air pollution by deploying cleaner trucks, trains, ships and cargo-handling equipment, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mayor Eric Garcetti has put together an advisory panel with the goal of reducing air pollution from the Port of Los Angeles — the single largest source of such pollution in Southern California — by deploying cleaner trucks, trains, ships and cargo-handling equipment.

The Sustainable Freight Advisory Board will advise the city-owned port on how to work with manufacturers to expand the use of zero-emissions technology, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday (https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-port-advisory-board-20160712-snap-story.html ). The 10-member panel is made up of representatives from industry, environmental groups, labor and air quality agencies.

During a news conference Tuesday at the port, Garcetti said the city can enjoy economic growth and clean air.

The port has seen dramatic emissions cuts over the last decade, according to the newspaper. But it still is the home of thousands of diesel-powered trucks, container ships and cargo-moving equipment that emit harmful particles and gases, worsen smog and burden harbor communities with increased asthma rates and the region's highest cancer risk from air pollution.

"It's an unacceptable price to pay for a bustling port, but we don't have to choose between one and the other," Garcetti said.

The panel will meet in private and make recommendations to the mayor, Port Director Gene Seroka and other officials. The reports will be made public, Garcetti said.

In a city sustainability plan adopted last year, the mayor set a goal of increasing zero-emissions goods transport trips to at least 15 percent by 2025.

Under an order by Gov. Jerry Brown, state agencies have drafted a plan to transition the freight transport system to less-polluting and zero-emissions technology, a blueprint city officials said will help guide the Port of Los Angeles in its efforts.

In this Feb. 12, 2015 file photo, the Port of Los Angeles, with some cargo loading cranes in the upright and idle position, are seen in this view from the San Pedro area of Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti has put together an advisory panel with the goal of reducing air pollution by deploying cleaner trucks, trains, ships and cargo-handling equipment, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File) In this Feb. 12, 2015 file photo, the Port of Los Angeles, with some cargo loading cranes in the upright and idle position, are seen in this view from the San Pedro area of Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti has put together an advisory panel with the goal of reducing air pollution by deploying cleaner trucks, trains, ships and cargo-handling equipment, Wednesday, July 13, 2016. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)
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