"The railroad said it would purchase 400 cleaner-burning diesel trucks that would run from the ports to the terminal and also require that other trucks meet stricter clean-air standards...In addition to the trucks, the railroad plans to landscape the terminal, creating an "urban forest," and build a sound wall. Those are solid overtures to its neighbors. But even better is a commitment to give local residents priority in hiring for new jobs at the ICTF. Goods movement jobs pay well, and there is a dire need for reliable blue collar work around here."
- Long Beach Press-Telegram Editorial, May 10, 2007
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ENHANCEMENTS UPDATE
Since BNSF Railway publicly announced its interest in developing the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) project close to the ports, the company has held numerous meetings and gone door-to-door to over 1,000 households in nearby neighborhoods to discuss the project and listen to area residents’ and other stakeholders’ concerns.
In response to those concerns, BNSF committed in May 2007 to make numerous enhancements to SCIG:
- SCIG will be served by a dedicated truck fleet entirely made up of 2007 or newer trucks on its first day of operations – exceeding compliance with the CAAP (Clean Air Action Plan).
- Trucks serving SCIG will be required to travel only on specified non-residential truck routes and will be equipped with global positioning satellite (GPS) devices to monitor and enforce compliance.
- BNSF will also participate in the new CAAP Technology Committee to seek continuous improvement in cargo movement technology.
- BNSF's operating contractor will be required to offer qualified local residents first priority for all new job opportunities at SCIG and will fund a workforce training program to help prepare area residents to obtain these jobs.
- BNSF will fund construction of a soundwall east of SCIG to diminish current freeway noise.
- BNSF will plant dense landscaping (an "urban forest") along the perimeter of the property to improve air quality and aesthetics.
The images below depict artist renderings of the proposed "urban forest" and soundwall options.
As the process continues, BNSF will seek additional input from residents and other stakeholders to finalize the soundwall design and landscaping plans. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Lena Kent at (909) 386-4140 or lena.kent@bnsf.com.
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ENHANCEMENTS TO SCIG
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FUTUREPORTS CONFERENCE
On November 15, 2007, FuturePorts organized a discussion panel focused on the need for green growth at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
At the conference, former U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor said, "we can have green growth. These are not mutually exclusive. We’re not in a zero-sum game, where one has to win, where one has to lose. We can do this if we’re smart, if we’re dedicated, if all of us work together, labor and business, non-governmental organizations, environmental justice people, and those who are interested on the other side. We all have to come together for the good of this great community."
Regional economist John Husing of Economics & Politics, Inc., and Paul Bingham of Global Insight Inc., joined Kantor on the panel. They emphasized the importance of environmentally-sound improvements to the ports in order to effectively manage growth and efficiently serve the vast network of businesses and over 230,000 local jobs supported directly and indirectly by port operations.
BNSF was proud to support this conference and recognizes the need for the ports to grow green in order to maintain the strength of Southern California’s economy. To learn more about FuturePorts, visit www.futureports.org.
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