The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners voted unanimously on Monday to approve a cooperative agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the Port of Los Angeles.
The agreement sets clear, enforceable deadlines for developing zero-emission infrastructure across the nation’s largest port complex.
Approved by the SCAQMD Board on 7 November, the agreement requires the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to develop and implement zero-emission infrastructure plans in three phases. A draft plan is due in May 2027, with approved plans for all equipment categories by the end of 2029.
These commitments build on the landmark Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP), which has already cut port-related emissions by 90 per cent in diesel particulate matter, 68 per cent in nitrogen oxides and 98 per cent in sulphur oxides since 2005.
In the coming months, the ports will work with SCAQMD on additional “CAAP Plus” measures aimed at further reducing emissions — particularly from oceangoing vessels, the ports’ largest emission source.
These may include expanding the Environmental Ship Index Incentive Program, investing Clean Truck Fund Rate revenue to support zero-emission trucks and infrastructure, creating a drayage truck incentive programme, and consulting annually with SCAQMD on funding priorities.
Long Beach Harbor Commission President, Frank Colonna, said: “We are pleased to move forward with this cooperative agreement and accelerate the progress we’ve achieved by making our operations cleaner and more efficient. It will deliver tangible results and a sustainable future without risking jobs or cargo throughput.”
Port of Long Beach CEO, Mario Cordero, added: “I commend the South Coast Air Quality Management District for its willingness to compromise, and all of the work by staff from the agency and both ports in recent months to develop this agreement in a transparent and open process. Collaboration has been a key to our success in reducing environmental impacts.
“Together, with the participation and active support of the ports, SCAQMD, labour, industry, energy suppliers and utilities, technology developers and community representatives – which this agreement will intensify – I am confident we can reach our shared goal of a zero-emissions future.”
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said: “This collaborative agreement marks a major step toward a more sustainable port complex that protects community health, advances our climate action commitments and strengthens regional economic growth with good-paying jobs.”
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission will vote on the agreement at its next meeting on 20 November.
Once approved, all three parties will execute the agreement. Negotiations on the additional CAAP Plus measures are expected to conclude by spring 2026.
Recently, the Port of Long Beach moved cargo ahead of its record-setting 2024 pace, driven largely by retailers who accelerated shipments and stocked inventories before new tariffs took effect in the spring.
