Zero Emissions Locomotives—How One California Port Is Moving the Needle

The Ports of Long Beach (POLB) and Los Angeles (POLA) adopted a Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) in 2006 to reduce air emissions. Recently, the Harbor Commissions have set new zero emission goals for year 2035 for port drayage trucks, and 2030 for container handling equipment. Statewide, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and in Southern California, the local air regulatory agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), have adopted rules and commenced rulemaking to further restrict air emissions from mobile sources from rail locomotives. Federal agencies such as the US EPA and US DOT have been awarding grants to incentivize development of zero-emissions equipment. Zero emissions (ZE) infrastructure has been installed and is going through testing. Battery-electric-powered marine terminal equipment, transit bus equipment, and hydrogen fuel cells are now becoming a reality. ZE Locomotive technology is not yet as far advanced. Ongoing demonstration locomotive trials have been underway with Class 1 and short lines in the US and Canada. This paper outlines how the Port of Long Beach is planning improvements into the Pier B Railyard to allow for a ZE Locomotive future.