A zero-emission, electric-powered terminal tractor, or “yard hostler,” similar to the one shown above at the Port of Los Angeles, will be on display during a community forum on zero-emission technologies Thursday at Silverado Park. Photo courtesy of the Port of Los Angeles.
10:32am | Residents are invited to attend a community forum Thursday that will tackle the topic of zero-emission technologies.
The forum is being held by the South Coast Air Quality Management District in conjunction with Seventh District Councilman James Johnson and the West Long Beach Association to provide residents, community leaders and businesses with an opportunity to learn more about modern technologies available today that help reduce air pollution and protect public health.
According to information provided by AQMD’s Sam Atwood, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles combined are the largest source of air pollution in the Southland.
Pollution at the ports comes primarily from diesel exhaust from trucks, trains and ships traveling in and out of the ports. By accelerating the transition toward clean, zero-emission technologies, the health risks caused by this pollution in communities adjacent to ports and rail yards can be reduced, Atwood said.
Forum attendees will obtain and discuss information on the health effects of air pollution specifically from these sources, and the benefits of utilizing zero-emission technologies at the nearby ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles will be shared. They will also be able to check out a zero-emission, electric-powered terminal tractor, also referred to as a yard hostler, that will be on display, he added.
The forum, which is free and open to the public, is set for Thursday at 7 p.m. in the social hall at Silverado Park, 1545 W. 31st St.
Additional information can be obtained by calling Lourdes Cordova Martinez at 909-396-2221or via e-mail at lcmartinez@aqmd.gov.