POLB CEO Marks 20 Years of Environmental Stewardship During Speech

Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. Photo: POLB.

The Port of Long Beach is accomplishing its environmental, operational and commercial goals and is setting its sights on even greater achievements in the years ahead, POLB CEO Mario Cordero said during his annual State of the Port address on Jan. 16.

Cordero recounted that it was in January 2005 that the Long Beach Harbor Commission adopted its Green Port Policy as a promise to reduce harmful impacts from port operations and safeguard the health of people living in Long Beach and surrounding communities, protect wildlife and the natural habitat, and engage the community to ensure that the Port lives up to these commitments.

The policy resulted in a range of sustainability initiatives that resulted in a cleaner harbor, industry-leading green building practices and most notably, air quality improvements resulting from reductions in emissions.

So far, according to POLB data, diesel emissions are down 92% at the port compared to 2005 levels, while nitrogen oxides have declined by 71%, sulfur oxides by 98% and greenhouse gases by 17%.

In his remarks, Cordero thanked the community for its role 20 years ago in demanding action that resulted in the Green Port Policy. He also credited industry partners, marine terminal operators, and waterfront workers for adopting innovative technologies and adapting to new, sustainable practices aimed at enhancing air and water quality while also achieving maximum efficiency for cargo movement.

Also during the roughly one-hour address, Cordero told the audience of about 900 people that Long Beach is making progress in transitioning operations to zero emissions, while marking dramatic air quality improvements and other environmental benefits throughout its 20 years of environmental efforts.

“For those in 2005 who questioned our environmental resolve, the data shows otherwise. For those who said a Green Port wouldn’t be able to compete commercially, the facts show otherwise. And today, for those who still doubt us, we are proving you wrong every single day,” Cordero said.

The full State of the Port event, which also includes speeches by Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, is available to stream at www.polb.com/stateoftheport.

By Mark Edward Nero