Which Way, L.A.?
Which Way, L.A.?
Share |

Can the Port of Los Angeles Slash Emissions and Still Grow?

Host:
Produced by:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Listen Add to My Shows
Legacy Player: Listen

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the largest employers in the region--and some of the worst polluters. Last week Port Commissioners adopted a $2 billion "green growth" action plan. Do the technologies exist? Who will pay for it? Will the  transformation help the hundreds of thousands already hurt by pollution?  Plus, the auto engineer who drove fashionable Angelenos out of their BMW's--and into Priuses.  Jim Sterngold guest hosts.

Main Topic

Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles Go for Cleaner Air ()

Together, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles handle more cargo than any other harbor in the US and provide more well-paying jobs by far than Hollywood. But they're also among the worst polluters, spewing volumes of dangerous emissions and particulates, which experts say are causing hundreds of early deaths each year. When Antonio Villaraigosa became mayor, he vowed to slash the emissions using new technologies, while still allowing the ports to expand. Last week Port Commissioners adopted a $2 billion action plan for "green growth." Ships will burn cleaner fuel and shut down their engines at the wharfs. Sooty container handling equipment will be replaced with trucks and cranes that use natural gas or other fuels. Heavy diesel trucks may be replaced altogether with mag-lev container movers. Do the technologies exist for this industrial transformation? Who will pay for it? Will it really help those already hurt by the pollution? Jim Sterngold guest hosts.

Guests:
  • Jerilyn Lopez Mendoza: Vice President of the Los Angeles Port Commission
  • Jesse Marquez: Executive Director of the Coalition for a Safe Environment
  • Mark Pisano: Executive Director of the Southern California Association of Governments
Links:

Reporter's Notebook

The American Father of the Prius Dies ()

Over the past couple years a snub-nosed Toyota--ungainly, quiet, and cheap--has replaced ultra-expensive imports as the fashionable car for the well-to-do. The man who helped engineer the shift was David Hermance, who fought to create acceptance for the fuel-efficient Prius and its distinctive hybrid motor. The Toyota engineer died last week while piloting his own small plane over the ocean.

Guests:

A CD copy of Which Way L.A.? is a available by calling 1.888.600.5279.
Transcripts are not available.

Underwriters

Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.

Engage & Discuss

Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.

For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.