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The Port of Los Angeles recently was named a recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) inaugural Climate Leadership Award, which recognizes businesses and organizations that display outstanding leadership in response to climate change.

The EPA recognized the port in the Supply Chain Leadership category, noting its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, and comprehensive emission tracking and management. To control GHGs, the port in 2006 adopted a green leasing policy that includes environmental requirements in tenant lease agreements, including air emission controls, environmental quality assessments and energy audits on terminal buildings. In addition, the port several years ago set the goal of reducing GHG emissions 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

The EPA also commended the port for providing tools to help ports around the world measure and reduce their carbon footprints.

“The port has worked hard to establish itself as an international leader in port-related greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts,” said Executive Director Geraldine Katz in a prepared statement. “We’re proud that many of our programs now serve as models for other ports around the world.”

Meanwhile, the Port of Seattle recently took the first step toward selling a 5.75-mile section of the Eastside Rail Corridor to the city of Kirkland, Wash., for $5 million. 
 
When the sale is completed, the city will own a section of the former BNSF Railway Co. route that begins in Bellevue, near the Kirkland/Bellevue border, and extends north into Kirkland. The port acquired the Eastside Rail Corridor from BNSF in 2009.

Port commissioners voted to approve the first reading of a sale resolution and are scheduled to vote on a second and final reading in a few weeks. The transaction is expected to close by mid-April.