| The Port of Los Angeles is located on San | | | | at the docks because they have no ability to |
| Pedro Bay in Los Angeles, CA, about 20 miles | | | | utilize shore-generated electricity. Diesel |
| south of the city's downtown. Also known as | | | | semis and locomotives idle while they sit and |
| the Los Angeles Harbor, it spreads over 7,500 | | | | wait to be loaded and unloaded. An local air |
| acres of both land and waterfront property. | | | | quality regulatory agency did a study that |
| It is nearby the Port of Long Beach, and is | | | | found that air pollution from the port is |
| the busiest port in the entire United States, | | | | responsible for 2,000 cases of cancer per |
| with more than 16,000 employees. | | | | million people. The more than 45 tons of |
| | | | nitrogen oxides generated daily by port |
| The port is an independent, self-reliant | | | | vessels almost matches the amount from the |
| department of the city of Los Angeles. | | | | 350 largest factories and refineries in the |
| Oversight is provided by a five-member board | | | | area. That amount is expected to increase 70 |
| of Harbor Commissioners that are appointed by | | | | percent by 2022. |
| the mayor and approved by the City Council, | | | | |
| and is administered by an executive director. | | | | Dealing with these environmental issues is a |
| | | | daily challenge for the port. Attempts have |
| The port is also the largest cruise ship hub | | | | been made to ameliorate the pollution problem |
| on the West Coast and has three berths for | | | | through a variety of strategies that include |
| ships, which carry more than 1 million | | | | cleaner-burning vehicles and more efficient |
| passengers on a yearly basis. The cruise | | | | cargo-handling. |
| center is posited to be the country's most | | | | |
| secure cruise location. It features a | | | | Additionally, a 2.8 million dollar Clean Air |
| security patrolled long-term parking lot that | | | | Program initiative was initiated by the board |
| has over 2,500 spaces. When cruise ships are | | | | of Harbor Commissioners in 2002, aimed at |
| in dock, shuttles take passengers and luggage | | | | reducing polluting emissions from vessels and |
| between the parking lot and the cruise ship. | | | | cargo-handling equipment. To quicken the |
| | | | implementation of pollution reductions |
| Unfortunately, with the huge volume of | | | | through the use of new, cleaner-burning |
| business that the port does, air pollution | | | | equipment, 52 million dollars has been |
| remains a big issue. Hefty container ships | | | | allocated through 2008. |
| running on highly polluting bunker fuel idle | | | | |