Sep 14, 2006 7:58 AM, from staff and wire reports

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a project involving its West Coast Collaborative, the Port of Los Angeles, and the Port of Long Beach to develop and test hybrid technology yard tractors for use on container terminals. The new equipment is estimated to reduce air emissions by 93 percent, equating to 19 tons of nitrogen oxide and 200 pounds of particulate matter.

This two-year project will cost $1.2 million. Both ports will contribute $375,000 each, the EPA will contribute $300,000 through its West Coast Collaborative, and the Long Beach Container Terminal will contribute $150,000.

Yard equipment is one component of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, developed by both ports to reduce health risks and air emissions from port operations in the next five years. This project falls under the plan and could improve the yard tractor “green” technology.

The yard tractors will be tested at the Long Beach Container Terminal facility, but could be operating at both ports later.