The nation’s two busiest ports are taking another major step toward a cleaner future. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) has approved a cooperative agreement with the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles that sets deadlines for building out the infrastructure needed to support zero-emission cargo operations.
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“This is a milestone more than a decade in the making and reflects a collective commitment to cleaner air for the South Coast region,” said South Coast AQMD Governing Board Chair Vanessa Delgado.
The agreement requires the ports to develop and implement charging and fueling plans in three phases, with clear milestones, annual progress reports, and public input. Penalties for missing deadlines range from $50,000 to $200,000 per violation, and those funds will go toward projects that benefit nearby communities.
“Environmental progress and economic leadership are no longer competing goals—they must move forward together,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “This collaborative agreement marks a major step toward a more sustainable port complex that protects community health, advances our climate action commitments, and strengthens regional economic growth with good-paying jobs.”
“This collaborative agreement represents our shared vision for cleaner air and healthier communities across our region,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “I look forward to the Harbor Commissions of Los Angeles and Long Beach approving this agreement so that we can move forward together toward a zero-emission future.”
The cooperative agreement is an enforceable step beyond earlier voluntary efforts, such as the Clean Air Action Plan, which has already delivered major emissions reductions since 2005. Once both Harbor Commissions approve the deal, the ports will begin developing comprehensive plans for zero-emission equipment, vehicles, and vessels across their facilities.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District also adopted a resolution to pause new rulemaking for five years while planning takes place, but it can restart it if the agreement is not carried out as intended. The next votes by the Long Beach and Los Angeles Harbor Commissions are expected later this month, with additional updates on emission-reduction measures expected in spring 2026.
“By accelerating zero-emission infrastructure, we will deliver cleaner air, healthier neighborhoods, and a greener global supply chain that reaches far beyond our two cities.”
