Oakland, Calif. —January 31, 2012— An independent study by the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley) shows a dramatic reduction in air pollution from sources at the Port of Oakland seaport. The study reveals a 50 percent decline in diesel particulate matter emissions from drayage trucks and a 40 percent decline in nitrogen oxide emissions in the Port harbor area following implementation of the clean trucks component of the Port’s Comprehensive Truck Management Program (CTMP).

“We are very pleased by the results of the UC Berkeley study. It independently confirms that partnering with our stakeholders has resulted in cutting diesel emissions in the Port area in half,” said Port Board President Pamela Calloway. “Our partners include the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), trucking companies, independent owner-operators, and other community stakeholders. Together we have significantly improved air quality in our maritime area; and we are continuing our commitment to reduce pollution because it is vital to the health of our workers and neighbors,” added Calloway.

In March 2008, the Oakland Board of Port Commissioners unanimously adopted a major maritime air quality policy statement along with actions to reduce diesel emissions that are related to health risk. The CTMP is part of the Port’s overall Maritime Air Quality Improvement Program (MAQIP) – the Port’s master plan regarding long-term air quality strategy, initiatives, programs and projects to achieve the Port’s goal of reducing health risk related to seaport sources of diesel pollution.

The UC Berkeley study measured ambient conditions directly above 7th Street in the Port area where there is concentrated truck traffic. Air samples were taken in November of 2009 and then again in June 2010 after the Port’s CTMP clean trucks component was implemented. The data were used for an independent, academic and peer-reviewed study that looked for changes in diesel particulate matter and nitrogen oxides emissions from drayage trucks in the seaport area.

Port Executive Director Omar R. Benjamin stated, “This study indicates that we are on the right path. Air pollution comes from many sources in the Bay Area including emissions from Port-related activities. We have been and continue to work with our partners to achieve our goal that, by the year 2020, the Port of Oakland will have cut the health risk from diesel particulate matter at our seaport by 85%.” The MAQIP, the Port’s comprehensive plan that would achieve this goal through truck retrofits, truck replacements, shore power and other initiatives, was adopted in April 2009.

Beginning in January 2010, drayage trucks with engine year models between 1994 and 2003 were required to be retrofitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPM) to enter Port of Oakland maritime facilities. The DPM filter is verified by CARB to reduce a truck’s diesel emissions by at least 85%. CARB, BAAQMD, EPA and the Port of Oakland funded grants for truck retrofits and replacements. The UC Berkeley study reflects some of the clean air benefits of the Port’s CTMP.

The Port’s Director of Environmental Programs and Planning, Richard Sinkoff, commented, “The 50% reduction in diesel particulate matter from the short-term air quality monitoring study at UC Berkeley independently substantiates the progress the Port is making toward achieving our 2020 health-risk reduction goal.” Sinkoff added, “To build on this success, we are making strides this year to complete the first half of our Shore Power Program. This will allow ships to plug into the electric power grid and turn off their diesel auxiliary engines. Once completed, the Shore Power Program will provide huge air quality benefits by significantly reducing diesel emissions from ships at dock. This means even better air quality in the Port area, which is good for those who work here, truck drivers and residents in our nearby communities.”

Berkeley Transportation Letter

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 70,000 jobs in the region and over 800,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube and at portofoakland.com

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Marilyn Sandifur
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