Sustainability Commissioners go to bat for vulnerable Long Beach residents after a presentation from the Long Beach Port.
NEWS Other than Long Beach Harbor Commissioners, there isn't a commission with more impact on the air we breathe in Long Beach than the Sustainability Commission. Last week, February 25th, the Sustainability Commission intently listened as the Long Beach Port's Director of Environmental Planning, Matt Arms, presented an update on "green port initiatives."
The Port of Long Beach, meanwhile, had a nearly 22% jump — marking its busiest January on record.
The presentation was brief and brimming with optimism. After fewer than a dozen slides the questions came in rapid fire succession.
Director Arms, spent the bulk of his time addressing the Clean Truck emission program. Less than a year ago Port Commissioners reluctantly approved a $10 fee on non-zero emission container trucks. The plan was for the fee to collect $90Million in its first year and be used to help truckers buy clean trucks.
But by August, Port Commissioners suspended the fee before it went into effect. The excuse was that the fee put too great a burden on trade during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clean Truck Fees Too Costly While Port Brings in Record Profits
However, port activity is at a record high. In fact, in the month of January Long Beach Port imports are up more than 17% compared to January 2020. There is such a surge at the port that in some cases container ships can wait in line for up to 8 days.
If long waits in line, record industry profits and pandemic woes sound familiar to rationales you've heard City officials make for grocery worker "Hero Pay" it's because it should.
On one hand, City officials unanimously passed "Hero Pay" for grocery workers who during the pandemic face high exposer to COVID-19. On the other hand, Mayor appointed Harbor Commissioners voted against the communities where many of the same essential workers live and breathe some of the worst air in the nation.
But, why the different treatment?
Similar to big grocers, the Port's record waiting lines and profit surge resulted from the pandemic. However, on the same facts, the City essentially gave the shipping industry a $90 Million savings that was slated to help some of the City's most vulnerable residents. These residents include kids suffering from asthma and North Long Beach mothers more likely to give birth to underweight babies.
With the Port making record profits and as reigning champion for the busiest Port in the nation last month, this seems as good a time as ever to collect those Clean Truck fees to help get dirty trucks off the road.
The Sustainability Commission chair, Sona Coffee, made the above point rather succinctly at Thursday's meeting.
A Road to Zero-Emissions With No Markers
With Clean Truck fees under quarantine and an ambitious 2035 zero-emission goal still looming, our editorial staff began pondering whether it might be best for the Long Beach to manage its expectations. Thus we asked Director Arms, what impact the suspension of Clean Truck fees has on the likelihood of meeting the Clean Air Action Plan Target for zero Port emissions by 2035?
The Director assured the Commission that while there were challenges, the goal was still achievable. However, Commissioner Eric Rock asked for more tangible measures.
"Can you please share the milestones or benchmarks you have in place as far as the timeline to say 'okay in 2035 we're gonna be zero-emission?' " Commissioner Rock asked.
Director Arms, responded that he could provide no benchmark or milestone for the public to use to assess the Port's progress. He remarked that "emerging technology" and "building needs" stood in the way.
This is little comfort for North and West Long Beach families whose life expectancy weighs in the balance.
Thus, without forecasted milestones we have little measure to hold the Port accountable for protecting our health and welfare other than a promise more than 14 years down the road.
The Line of Container Ships Along Our Coastline
While the pandemic was used as an excuse to save the shipping industry many millions at the expense of our residents' health, it was also used as a convenient excuse for why dozens of container ships dot our coastline as far as the eye can see.
It was Commissioner Eric Rock that brought the issue of container ships lining the Long Beach Coast into focus. Director Arms, blamed the costly environmental event on the pandemic and social distancing requirements.
Insightfully, Commissioner Rock made an astute observation that challenged the impact social distancing actually has at the Port. "As an outsider to the Port it seems like most of your operations are semi automated and most the players involved that are actually people are behind vehicles with personal protective vehicles," said Commissioner Rock.
"I don't want to use COVID as an excuse for an automated facility slowing down."
The Numbers Are Good if We Ignore the Loopholes
There was good news on port pollution. Hazardous pollutants such as yearly tons of nitrogen and sulfur oxides were down 58% and 97% respectively since 2005. Director Arms, also applauded data showing that particulate matter 2.5 from diesel trucks had dropped 88% between 2005 and 2019.
However, Commissioner Hilda Gaytan provided more context that reveal ugly loopholes behind the glowing data. She reminded the Director that while greener trucks picking up cargo at the port were driving down pollutant data, companies often drive a few exits past the port and hitch the cargo to a dirty diesel truck. Thus, by the time the dirty truck passes Commissioners Gaytan's neighborhood the environmental impact is nearly negligible.
Commissioner Gaytan is a 9th District resident whose home, family and friends sit in a pocket of the city criss-crossed by diesel emissions traveling along the 91 and 710 Freeways.
"Having the port is great for the community, great for Long Beach and great for California," Commissioner Gaytan somberly remarked. "But there are a lot of people that are suffering and paying the price. And I feel bad about it."
Politely, the director responded said that he "understands and acknowledges" Gaytan's concerns. He added that while the programs are "probably not perfect" the Port is striving to do more and better.
One of the areas where Gaytan suggested the Port could do more and better was with air filtration for residents. According to the Commissioner, the Port only grants air filtration for some commercial buildings. However, no funding has gone to the millions of residential homes and apartments breathing the brunt of deadly air pollution.
In 2017, The Port of Long Beach awarded more than $700,000 dollars in grants to fund nine air filtration projects for area schools, youth centers and clinics impacted by the port’s operations. With dinner tables and bedrooms serving as classrooms for students everywhere, the Pandemic may underscore a need for a new look at air filtration priorities.
More data is expected on port pollution but it will take some time explained Director Arms. He expects that 2020 pollution numbers will not be available until Fall 2021.