Ports of LA and Long Beach offer funding for technology that reduces air pollution

The two largest seaports in the US, Los Angeles and Long Beach, are offering millions in seed money for innovations that improve air quality in and around the two San Pedro Bay ports.

In a release on Wednesday the Port of Los Angeles said it is looking for emission-reducing technologies in the area of goods-movement – that covers the likes of trucks, trains, terminal equipment, harbour craft and, of course, ships.

This seed funding is part of the two ports’ Technology Advancement Program (TAP) which has distributed $21 million since 2007.

TAP comes under the ports’ 2006 Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), a concerted, organized effort that has seen remarkable reductions in air pollution around the ports.

In comparison with 2005, the last year before CAAP, levels of diesel particulate matter have dropped by 87% in San Pedro Bay. Nitrogen oxide levels have fallen by 56% and sulfur oxides by 97%.

This year’s Call for Projects requires concept papers for potential innovations to be submitted by Tuesday 22 May.