A new zero-emission big rig that combines a hydrogen fuel cell with an electric motor will soon join the Port of Los Angeles fleet. The Class 8 electric/hydrogen hybrid Tyrano was built in El Segundo by Santa Monica-based Vision Industries Corp. The hydrogen fuel cell charges the lithium-ion batteries used to power the truck. The company says the vehicle has 400 horsepower, 3,200 foot-pounds of torque, and a range of about 400 miles. Savings per mile are estimated at from 35 to 65 percent compared to diesel and natural gas trucks. Sound too good to be true? That's what the port hopes to find out. The port has agreed to pay no more than $280,000 for the first truck, including sales tax. It will use the Tyrano to pull its TransPORTer exhibit - a walk-in trailer that features port information and exhibits. Negotiations are continuing for additional Tyranos to evaluate their drayage potential.
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster has a better idea for honoring ocean carriers that comply with the port's voluntary 12-knot speed limit while approaching the harbor. Speaking Thursday at the Port of Long Beach annual Green Flag Award Ceremony for the biggest and best carriers in the program, Foster said handing out green flags was getting old. Next year, he joked, the port was going to hand out green Corvettes. Port Executive Director Dick Steinke gave the mayor a reality check. The only green Corvettes the port would likely be handing out next year would be a toy matchbook model, he said.
The 14 carriers honored by the Port of Long Beach for participating in the voluntary speed reduction program all achieved at least 90 percent compliance. The lines made more than 1,100 calls to the port in 2009, accounting for about 55 percent of all voyages. The program, which originally called for slowing down within 20 nautical miles of the port in order to reduce emissions, has now extended participation out to 40 nautical miles. In 2009, almost 70 percent of the ships met the 40 nautical mile standard. The port offers discounted dockage fees as an incentive. The 14 carriers honored were: Matson Navigation, COSCO, OOCL, CMA CGM, Alaska Tanker, Carnival Corp., Hanjin Shipping, "K" Line, MSC, Hamburg Sud, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Zim, BP Shipping and Wan Hai. BP Shipping and Wan Hai achieved 100 percent participation within 40 nautical miles.
Bay Area folks will be meeting in Oakland on Wednesday at the annual San Francisco Bay Decision Makers Conference to discuss the possible impacts of sea level change in the area and to come up with ideas for responding to that change. Although the science of climate change is still evolving, planners are already considering possible public policies regarding the threat.
The Port of Seattle has issued a new environmentally friendly Environmental Annual Report. More than 10,000 links to the electronic report were issued via e-mail last week, but not a single copy of the report was printed on paper. The 20-page report includes information about the port's programs to improve air and water quality, restore marine habitats, conserve energy and recycle waste. The report was written and designed in-house and includes a video welcome from Port Commission President Bill Bryant. Port officials said the electronic distribution was part of the port's ongoing environmental efforts. It may be techie cool, but does it work for you?
Members of the public have been invited to share their opinions Thursday on proposed revisions to the Port of San Diego Clean Truck Program. The Truck Work Group, part of the port's Environmental Advisory Committee, will hear from the public from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Port Administration Building. The draft policy will be presented to the port board for approval in June. Details.
The Army Corps of Engineers is scheduled to meet Wednesday with the Port of Olympia and the Washington State departments of Ecology and Natural Resources to discuss possible recontamination of the Port of Olympia waters following a dredging project aimed at cleaning it up and deepening port channels. Apparently the re-emergence of contaminants comes from toxic sediments beneath the piers that were inaccessible to the dredges. When the dredging was complete, those sediments sloughed off back into the berth area. Port officials say they always knew there would be some recontamination after the $3 million project was completed last year. The parties already met once on the subject in a meeting called by the Army Corps on April 2.
If you feel lucky and even if you don't, think about dropping by the Casino Night fundraiser in San Pedro on Saturday to help raise money for the Los Angeles Maritime Museum. Admission to the event costs $50 and gets you a buffet dinner, $200 in casino chips, and 1 raffle ticket. Games include Craps, Roulette, Blackjack and Texas Hold 'Em.
- The Cunningham Report
