California Air Resources Board OKs use of new locomotive engine filter at L.A. port

The Port of Los Angeles earlier this month announced that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved the use of new locomotive technology to help meet strict clean-air standards in the area.

Developed by Johnson Matthey, the Locomotive Catalyzed Continuously Regenerating Trap (L-CCRT) diesel particulate filter recently earned CARB verification that it meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 emission standard required for all new locomotives, effective Jan. 1, 2015.

The port supported testing and verification of the L-CCRT filter through the Technology Advancement Program, a joint initiative between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to accelerate the commercialization of emission reduction technology. Over the past four years, Johnson Matthey and the port have partnered with Union Pacific Railroad, CARB, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and Port of Long Beach to evaluate the L-CCRT, an after-treatment device featuring multiple diesel oxidation catalysts and catalyzed soot filters designed to trap particulate matter (PM) and other air pollutants.

The L-CCRT was tested on a Tier 3-compliant Genset switcher. After 3,000 engine hours in accumulated service over two years of field testing, CARB found that the filter cut PM emissions to an average below the Tier 4 threshold, and significantly reduced emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, Port of Los Angeles officials said in a press release.

"CARB verification is a victory for clean air and the goods movement industry, and another feather in the cap of our pioneering Technology Advancement Program," said Gary Lee Moore, the port's interim executive director.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has nominated Gene Seroka as the port's next executive director.

Seroka is head of commercial in the Americas Region for American Presidents Line (APL). He previously was president of the Americas Region, vice president of the Middle East and East Africa, VP of APL Logistics Ltd., and managing director of APL and APL Logistics Indonesia.

The port began an executive search in March. Moore has been serving as the port's interim executive director since Geraldine Knatz retired in October 2013.