In 2007, you helped us appeal to the California Air Resources Board, California’s statewide air quality agency, to require more “early action” global warming solutions under AB 32. At the time, CARB had only identified three Early Action Measures, none of which were targeted at the goods movement system—the biggest polluter in the state and an enormous contributor to climate-changing emissions. After tremendous public input throughout the state, CARB added six more Early Action Measures, including two directly related to heavy duty trucks and ships. We continue to monitor these early action measures and CARB’s overall plans to address the crisis of global climate change.

Here’s what worked on:

With the passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, CARB must identify "discrete early action greenhouse gas reduction measures." These Early Action Measures are on an accelerated regulation adoption process, ensuring these regulations are enforceable by January 1, 2010. Unfortunately, CARB's initial effort has yielded an insufficient list of early measures. CARB only identified 3 of 36 separate measures to be adopted as Early Action Measures, and failed to include measures aimed at regulating goods movement -- port industry -- emissions; an industry responsible for 30% of NOx emissions and 75% of diesel particulate matter emissions in California. Curbing these goods movement emissions would not only improve our health and air quality, but have a greater effect in reducing global warming.

AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requires California to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 -- roughly a 25% reduction. To achieve this emissions reduction target, CARB must adopt a comprehensive plan by the end of 2008 and complete the necessary rulemaking to implement that plan by the end of 2011. Additionally, AB 32 recognized the need for immediate progress in reducing GHG emisions, and tasked CARB with adopting regulations that can and should be made. The Act requires CARB to identify a list of "discrete early action greenhouse gas reduction measures" -- Early Action Measures -- by July 1, 2007. Once listed, the Early Action Measures will be developed into regulatory proposals, adopted by CARB's Board, and made enforceable by January 1, 2010. In other words, these Early Action Measures will be implemented at least two years before any other regulations are implemented -- maximizing their positive impact on emission levels and air quality.

How does AB 32 deal with other toxic air contaminants?
AB 32 mandates that efforts to reduce greenhouse gases do not interfere with efforts to achieve and maintain federal and state ambient air quality standards and to reduce toxic air contaminant emissions such as particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These toxic air contaminants are directly linked to a wide range of public health risks such as cancers, lung disease, respiratory illness, asthma, low birth weights, and premature death. To read more about the effects of port related toxic air contaminants, visit our Health section.

What were the Early Action Measures that CARB proposed and how do they relate to port pollution?
Despite vast opportunities to substantially reduce GHG emissions, and despite stakeholder input to target strategies including those which would dramatically reduce emissions from port-related sources, CARB limited their early action measures to a mere three items: a low-carbon fuel standard, reduction of refrigerant losses from motor vehicle air conditioning system maintenance, and increased methane capture from landfills. All of the directly port-related emissions reductions measures were postponed for later consideration.

How much do goods movement sources contribute to toxic air contaminants and GHG?
Goods movement activities are the largest contributor of statewide toxic air emissions. Overall, goods movement is currently responsible for roughly 30% of NOx emissions and 75% of diesel PM emissions in California. Goods movement emissions of diesel PM are larger than the combined emissions from stationary sources, passenger vehicles and off-road equipment.

CARB itself emphasizes the connection between port and goods movement pollution and global warming. They state that 1 kilogram of diesel PM contributes much more to global warming than 1 kilogram of CO2 over the 100-year timeframe typically used to evaluate climate change impacts.

Because of this fact, it is important CARB include goods movement -- of which port industry is a part -- emissions in its Early Action Measures. Specifically, CARB should:

1.       Require the cleanest available Heavy-Duty Trucks. (Each truck should meet the EPA's highest clean air standards -- for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and diesel particulate matter (DPM) -- at the time of purchase. Dirtier trucks should not be grouped with clean trucks, thereby allowing fleets to lower their average criteria pollutant emissions.)

2.       Require the cleanest available Cargo Handling Equipment (such as "yard tractors")

3.       Require large ocean going vessels to use cleaner shore-based electrical power ("cold ironing") when in port harbors (instead of burning dirty bunker fuel)

What are the sources of pollution in the goods movement?
The ports and goods movement industry emits pollution associated with each element of the goods movement process including:

• Ocean-going vessels that import and export goods through California ports;
• Commercial harbor craft, such as tug boats and fishing vessels that operate primarily in and out of California ports;
• Cargo handling equipment used to load and unload goods at ports and rail yards;
• Trucks that transport goods within and through California, as well as the diesel engines on refrigerated truck containers used to cool or heat perishable goods;
• Locomotives that are used in rail yards for switching and throughout California for line hauls.

In each area of ports and goods movement, there are dirty practices including polluting diesel fuels, outdated equipment, ship and truck engine idling which result in hours and days of pollution emission when the vehicle is not moving, and a trucking system wherein truckers are paid low wages and expected to bear the financial responsibility of upkeep and upgrade of old and dirty trucks. Viable solutions exist today!