ADVISORY/Port of Long Beach to Unveil New, $9 Million Ship Loader, Highlight Completion of Infrastructure Improvements Related to Control of Petroleum Coke Dust.

News Editors/Assignment Desks

ADVISORY...for Friday (May 14)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

Standing before a new, $9 million ship loader and docked vessel,
Assemblymember Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, will join the Port of
Long Beach at a ceremony marking complete compliance with regional air
quality regulations governing the handling, transportation and storage
of petroleum coke. The Port met many of the deadlines required by the
South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) ahead of deadlines
accelerated by a Lowenthal bill, AB 1775.

WHAT:    The Port of Long Beach has completed improvements related to
         compliance with South Coast AQMD Rule 1158, which governs the
         way petroleum coke products are transported, handled and
         stored. The Port of Long Beach commissioned and began
         operation of the new ship loader in early April and made
         scores of other equipment upgrades and procedural changes in
         compliance with Rule 1158 and AB 1775. The results have been
         impressive. Since these changes were initiated in 2000,
         petroleum coke dust found in monitoring samples dropped from
         about 21 percent to 3 to 5 percent.

WHO:     54th District Assemblymember Alan Lowenthal, Long Beach Mayor
         Beverly O'Neill, Port Executive Direct Richard D. Steinke,
         Harbor Commissioner James C. Hankla, AQMD representatives
         Carol Coy and federal, state, county and local officials.

WHEN:    Friday, May 14
         10 a.m.

WHERE:   Pier G, Port of Long Beach. Long Beach Transit will provide
         free bus transportation from the Port Administration
         Building, 925 Harbor Plaza, to the event site.

         Outstanding Photo, Video and Interview Opportunities