The Port of Long Beach on Tuesday (11 November) said the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a cooperative agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and the Port of Los Angeles containing time-bound and enforceable commitments to develop zero-emissions infrastructure at the nation’s largest ports complex.

The enforceable agreement requires the ports to develop and implement charging and fuelling infrastructure plans and includes annual reporting requirements and agency oversight.

The agreement, which the SCAQMD Board approved 7 November, commits the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to developing and implementing plans for zero-emissions infrastructure for equipment types in three phases, starting with a draft plan in May 2027, followed by approved plans in place for all categories by the end of 2029. 

According to SCAQM, the cooperative agreement prioritises the development of zero-emission infrastructure at the Ports—the first critical step towards eliminating emissions from cargo handling equipment, harbour craft, trucks, trains, and ocean-going vessels and attaining clean air in the region. 

Taken together, the actions build on the voluntary, landmark Clean Air Action Plan that has delivered remarkable progress in cutting emissions from port-related sources, including reductions of 90% in diesel particulate matter, 68% in nitrogen oxides and 98% in sulphur oxides from port-related sources since 2005.

In the months ahead, the ports will also continue working with SCAQMD on additional “CAAP Plus” measures that will focus on emission-reducing strategies related to cleaner oceangoing vessels, the largest source of emissions at the ports, through strategies like the Environmental Ship Index Incentive Programs. 

The measures could also include strategies like committing Clean Truck Fund Rate revenue to subsidise the transition to zero-emission trucks and infrastructure, developing a zero-emissions drayage truck utilisation incentive program and consulting annually with SCAQMD on spending priorities.

“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,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna. “It will deliver tangible results and a sustainable future without risking jobs or cargo throughput.”

“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,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. 

“Collaboration has been a key to our success in reducing environmental impacts. Together, with the participation and active support of the ports, SCAQMD, labor, 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.”

“Environmental progress and economic leadership are no longer competing goals – they must move forward together,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. 

“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. By accelerating zero-emission infrastructure, we will deliver cleaner air, healthier neighbourhoods and a greener global supply chain that reaches far beyond our two cities.”

Photo credit: Port of Long Beach
Published: 14 November, 2025