Cargo cranes to get $5 million environmental upgrade

While all of the Port’s tall, ship-to-shore cranes are already electrically powered, the grant program would apply to rubber tired gantry cranes for terminal handling. The Port’s goal is to help terminals convert all of their RTG cranes from diesel power to electrical power. About 85 RTG cranes operate at the Port’s seven container terminals. “If all RTG cranes in the Port of Long Beach are converted to electricity, it will reduce air pollution by about 350 tons a year,” said Richard D. Cameron, Director of Environmental Planning. “We are hoping that by providing these grants, terminals will be encouraged to make this investment. This is a cost-effective option that will have a significant air quality benefit.” The Port will accept grant applications through the end of March from its shipping terminals, which will be required to provide matching funds. Grants will be awarded competitively, based on cost effectiveness, technical approach and proposed schedule. The maximum individual award is anticipated to be $1 million. In recent years the Port and its tenants have reduced emissions from cargo-handling terminal equipment by nearly 500 tons of pollution a year through the use of retrofit devices, more efficient engines and cleaner fuels. Through implementation of the Clean Air Action Plan, and other air programs such as this grant program, the Port plans to reduce emissions from all port-related sources by at least 45 percent in five years.