CityLab, February 4, 2019
Teju Adisa-Farrar • “West Oakland residents’ decades-long resistance against poor air quality is starting to pay off as the Port of Oakland plans to reduce air pollution by transitioning to emissions-free solutions.
“In June 2018, the Port released the Draft Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan. The Plan aims to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants, and includes proposals for vehicle electrification and zero-emissions infrastructure.
“The Seaport plan notes California’s 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas reduction goals, but is timid regarding implementation of electrification [and] shies away from adopting electric trucks and equipment.
“David Wooley, Executive Director of UC Berkeley’s Center for Environmental Public Policy, says, ‘Trends in battery technology costs suggest that electric drive technology may become competitive with new diesel equipment soon,’ and he added: ‘Action now will also position the Port, its tenants, and supporting business to reduce costs and improve competitiveness of port operations over the long term.’
“The West Oakland Indicators Project has been a vital part of pushing the Port to make sure [the Seaport] plan centers on public health and air quality in the surrounding community. Oakland has a long history of resistance and consistent action from frontline communities fighting against industry that harms public health and destroys the environment. Now with the support of legal advocacy organizations, and in partnership with three of the state’s most active ports, these populations are gaining traction.” Read more here.