(The Pacific Harbor Line issued the following on August 5, 2009.)
LONG BEACH, LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Pacific Harbor Line is one of eight local maritime firms recognized at the second annual San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan Air Quality Awards. Other award-winning businesses include six marine terminal operators and a trucking line.
Pacific Harbor Line was honored for taking extraordinary steps to slash air pollution from their business operations.
Recognized as the most environmentally friendly railroad in America, PHL replaced and expanded its locomotive fleet with cleaner equipment, taking delivery of 22 clean-diesel locomotives in the past two years. This switch lowered particulate emissions by 70 percent, cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 46 percent and reduced fuel use by an estimated 7 to 9 percent. PHL had financial help with the $30 million fleet replacement from the ports and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
When the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) was adopted in 2006 to cut pollution nearly by half by 2012, the ports called for the goods movement industry to join in the cause by going above and beyond the basic requirements of the plan. As shown by the five winners in the inaugural CAAP awards last year and the eight winners this year, businesses are heeding the call.
“When it comes to cleaning the air we all breathe, the commitment and creativity of our customers never ceases to amaze me,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D. “Each year more innovative technology and operations are being implemented on the docks, in the rail yards and on the streets. Congratulations to all of our award winners this year.”
“The Clean Air Action Plan is well on track to reach its goal of cutting air pollution by 45 percent, thanks in large part to the enthusiastic participation of companies like the eight we honored today,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Richard D. Steinke. “Their efforts to improve air quality and contribute to cleaner skies deserve praise and recognition.”
Nominees were judged by a panel that included representatives of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Air Resources Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Other 2009 winners include:
• Yusen Terminals Inc., a subsidiary of NYK Line at the Port of Los Angeles;
• International Transportation Service, a subsidiary of “K” Line at the Port of Long Beach;
• Metropolitan Stevedore Company (Metro Ports), a bulk export terminal operator at the Port of Long Beach;
• APL-Eagle Marine Services at the Port of Los Angeles;
• Mitsubishi Cement Corp. at the Port of Long Beach;
• Total Transportation Services Inc., a licensed motor carrier serving both ports;
• Seaside Transportation Services, LLC, which operates the Evergreen Terminal container terminal at the Port of Los Angeles.
The Air Quality Excellence Awards were created to further the goals of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan. The Plan includes a number of initiatives aimed at reducing air pollution by 45 percent by 2012 from ships, trucks, trains and other heavy equipment used in the movement of cargo through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Pacific Harbor Line is an affiliate of Anacostia & Pacific Company, Inc. (www.anacostia.com) and began operations in 1998 providing railroad switching services to the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and also dispatching all BNSF Railway and Union Pacific trains within the ports. PHL maintains 75 miles of track owned by the two ports and serves nine on-dock intermodal terminals, plus numerous carload customers.