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Mayor’s Business Roundtable Recommends Support for SCIG Project
On January 23, 2008, The Los Angeles Economy & Jobs Committee (LAEJC) released a detailed set of recommendations to help the city maintain its place as an economic engine in the nation and the world. Key among the recommendations was a focus on green growth and job creation – two of BNSF’s major goals for the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG).
The Los Angeles Economy & Jobs Committee was formed in 2006 by Mayor Villaraigosa to help develop a “blueprint which would provide specific action recommendations to help shape the city’s economic development.” Comprised of local business, labor and non-profit leaders, as well as academics, the LAEJC was tasked with forming “ideas and specific action recommendations that will help protect and expand the city’s many assets; foster an environment that encourages environmentally sustainable growth; and address some of the city’s most pressing weaknesses and needs.”
The LAEJC notes that the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach face a “crisis of capacity,” with a potential rail loading capacity shortfall of 2.3 million TEUs per year by 2010. The report encourages increasing goods movement capacity by expediting green growth projects and notes that “in order to ensure that Southern California remains the main trade entry point for North America, it is critical that intermodal cargo facilities are expanded. Expanding rail facilities seems to be the best option.”
The report further states that the Mayor “should support expansion of on dock and near dock intermodal facilities that reduce truck traffic on local highways and increase the port’s competitiveness” and “support the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) Project.”
"The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are facing a major capacity shortfall that could exceed 2 million TEUs by 2010. In order to ensure that Southern California remains the main trade entry point for North America, it is critical that intermodal cargo facilities are expanded. Expanding rail facilities seems to be the best option."
- "Building a World-Class City for the 21st Century; Recommendations for Job Growth and a Stronger Economy in Los Angeles," Los Angeles Economy & Jobs Committee, January 2008.
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The LAEJC also recognizes the environmental benefits of rail over other traditional transportation methods, stating that “rail is the least-polluting method of moving freight over land, as trains are two to four times more fuel efficient and two to three times cleaner than trucks on a ton-mile basis. With increased rail traffic, the region would benefit from lower emissions and fewer trucks on the local highways.” SCIG will remove thousands of trucks from already congested freeways, and limit them to non-residential streets monitored by GPS technology to enforce compliance.
SCIG is designed to be the “greenest intermodal facility in North America” and to help grow port capacity in a sustainable way. SCIG will also help trade flowing through the ports create additional jobs for local workers throughout Southern California. These stable, long-term jobs provide advancement opportunities and allow local workers to benefit from the growth of the ports, which are largest source of employment in the greater five-county region in Southern California, with nearly 500,000 jobs.
Along with LAEJC, BNSF recognizes the importance of green growth at the ports and looks forward to continuing to work with the Harbor Commission and Mayor Villaraigosa to improve our city, our economy and our environment. Together, we can grow green. And with continued attention and leadership from local officials such as Mayor Villaraigosa, the ports will be able to sustain their position as an economic engine and source of jobs for Southern California.
To support SCIG or to learn more, visit www.communitiesmatter.com
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