Barboza, T. (2020, January 3). Port ships are massive L.A. polluters. Will California force a cleanup? Retrieved March 8, 2020, from https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-01-03/port-ships-are-becoming-la-worst-polluters-regulators-plug-in  

Port ships are emerging as the top source of smog-causing pollution. Air quality officials are currently looking to expand the number of ships that turn off their auxiliary engines and connect to shore power or clean their exhausts using a special tool. Many are complaining that the California Air Resources Board is not working fast enough to reduce the amount of pollution coming from these ports. The same group of people also fear that the ports will use their popularity and influence to weaken some restrictions that may be put in place in the near future. 

The port of Los Angeles accounts for 40% of the United States’ imports, and is very expensive to perform these changes. The issue is currently greater than ever as the shipments moving through the port have nearly tripled since 1990. There are many complaints about this port because the people living near it have the highest cancer and asthma risk from air pollution in comparison with the rest of the state. There have been state regulations put in place that require some cargo ships to be plug in or connect to emission controls. These regulations still do not apply to 8,000 ocean vessels coming to California’s ports each year. The Air Resources commission plans to expand the amount of regulated ships from 43% to 71% by 2029. I like how the article included information about possible solutions and how the city plans to apply them.