Clean Air Workshop Connects Environmental Technology Firms with Port Customers; Prospective Applicants Vie for $9.5 Million in Project Funding Available for Air Quality Improvement Projects.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -- Sharing a common goal to clean up the air in Los Angeles Harbor, representatives from nearly 50 regional maritime-related and environmental technology companies attended an air quality vendor fair at the Port of Los Angeles this week. The participants are potential applicants competing for the $9.5 million second round of Port Air Quality Mitigation Program grant funding.

"This the first time the Port has ever organized and hosted this type of vendor fair to introduce its numerous air quality stakeholders to one another," said Marisa Trutanich, the Port's Environmental Mitigation Coordinator. "This fair gave our customers the opportunity to see, live and in person, how these various clean air technologies operate and apply to individual customer needs."

Showcasing different clean air technologies aimed to reduce particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) at the nation's busiest port, various conceptual projects were presented at the vendor fair, ranging from fuel additives for cargo-handling equipment to hybrid rail engines. With approximately a dozen vendors in attendance, Port customers and terminal operators were introduced to cutting-edge technologies that promote air quality and cleaner, more efficient operations.

Prior to the vendor fair, an informational meeting was held, where participants learned about the program's mission, outline, function, roles and responsibilities. Eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria were also discussed, requiring applicants to partner with reputable, established environmental technology companies, encouraging highly specialized, technical proposals.

"I went to the vendor fair to learn more about how to submit a proposal for our Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) project," said John Chavez of J&J Environmental Consultants in San Bernardino. "I listened, gathered applications and looked around. I'm really glad that I attended."

Proposals must attempt to reduce PM by a minimum of 20 percent, in addition to a 30 percent NOx reduction for new equipment and 15 percent NOx reduction for retrofitted equipment. With an emphasis placed on reducing PM, the Port of Los Angeles Community Advisory Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee will evaluate proposals based on PM and NOx cost-effectiveness, degree of technology maturity, proposal quality, experience and qualifications.

The Port's Request for Proposals (RFP) was released on May 2 and project submissions are due in July. Projects will be presented before the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners for selection and approval in December. For those who missed the workshop, an online presentation and questions and answers segment is available on the Port of Los Angeles Web site at www.portoflosangeles.org.

The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading container port in the nation and a critical hub in the international supply chain, the Port generates thousands of stable jobs and billions of dollars in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles also places a high priority on responsible growth initiatives combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. The Port of Los Angeles is a proprietary, self-supported department of the City of Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles. . . Anchoring a bright future.