Ports Of Los Angeles And Long Beach: New Clean Diesel Technology Key Part Of Future Plan, Offers Fastest, Lowest Cost Route To Emission Reductions

#CleanDiesel advances POLA/POLB's #lowcarbon, #emissionreduction goals in the fastest way possible

Sacramento, CA /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - As the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach(POLA/POLB) begin final consideration of their updated 2017 Clean Air Action Plan (the "Plan"), regulators must embrace the future role of diesel technology in the global goods movement sector and the substantial, immediate clean air and climate benefits that the latest clean diesel technologies offer.

Because of its unique combination of power, performance, efficiency, reliability, durability and availability, diesel power is projected to remain the dominant technology for global goods movement on land and sea for the next period covered by this plan. The newest generation of clean diesel technology achieves near-zero levels of emissions for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, while also maintaining an efficiency and performance advantage over other fuels.

"Clean diesel has a proven track record for the POLA/POLB, and that's one reason we know it will be successful in the future," said Allen Schaeffer, executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum (the Forum). "The majority of the emission reduction benefits realized when the Clean Truck Program was implemented in 2012 came from truck operators choosing clean diesel power over alternative fuels."

Schaffer continued: "As currently constructed, this updated Clean Air Action Plan must do more to recognize and leverage strategies like accelerated adoption of cleaner diesel engines and equipment that achieve proven near-term benefits. One of the key uncertainties of the plan is technology availability in the form of the timing, market success and availability of any alternative fuels and powertrains in the Port service setting. The potential for slowed or impaired progress in achieving clean air and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets without a balanced fuel, technology and timeline approach is real."

As the port considers future technology investments upgrading or replacing older vehicles, equipment, switch locomotives and harbor craft with the latest clean diesel technology will do the most to deliver needed emission reductions to sensitive communities most in need of emission reductions in a timely manner.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) most recent National Port Strategy Assessment (December 2016):

Replacing a model year 2007 Class 8 drayage truck with a model year 2010 or newer diesel drayage truck can reduce NOx emissions by 221 lbs. Multiplied over the 60 percent of the truck fleet that does not come with technology to meet the model year 2010 standard, the port could reduce emissions by 2.1 million lbs. of NOx.

Replacing a single old engine that powers a switch locomotive with a Tier 4 model can reduce NOx emissions by 37,000 lbs. of NOx and 974 lbs. of particulate matter emissions. Replacing the older engine in the wide variety of marine workboats including tugs and ferries can have equally significant emissions reductions.

"These significant emission reductions could be delivered immediately by technology that is sitting on dealer lots today, which does not require the lengthy and expensive buildout of refueling or recharging infrastructure, or the widespread adoption of technologies not yet available at a commercial market scale," said Schaeffer. "Further, the POLA/POLB can immediately enhance this proven clean air performance and achieve significant greenhouse gas reduction capabilities by utilizing low-carbon renewable diesel fuel in all its diesel engines and equipment."

More recent demonstration projects show new concepts for clean diesel power in drayage operation. Drayage trucks with downsized diesel engines integrated with battery electric drive modes for on-port operations and a geo-fence enabled ability to switch to diesel power in off-port settings, give it a best-of-both worlds performance.

"Based on this record," said Schaeffer, "we are confident that the newest generation of clean diesel technology is poised to contribute to even more emission reductions and help the POLA/POLB achieve their climate and clean air goals and power a modern, world-class near-zero emissions freight and goods movement system for the future."