Imaginative initiatives will drive the Port of Long Beach’s goal to become the world’s first zero-emissions seaport, according to Executive Director Mario Cordero.
Specifically, Mr. Cordero committed to supporting state and federal efforts to increase renewable energy sources as he declared 2023 as the “Year of Imagination.”
Among the innovative projects planned, Port of Long Beach’s Executive Director announced its bid to assemble and manufacture offshore wind turbines that will increase the state’s supply of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Citing the Port’s track record of efforts and investments to improve air quality and natural harbor habitat, Mr. Cordero also called on companies with strong environmental policies to choose the Port of Long Beach when shipping their goods and materials.
This Green Port has plenty of work ahead. However, let there be no doubt – the Port of Long Beach is leading the way
Building on nearly two decades of green initiatives, the Port is now establishing a Zero Emissions, Energy Resilient Operations Program – known as ZEERO – to invest in projects aimed at reducing the impacts of operations and improving air quality.
Among its goals, ZEERO supports the development of renewable energy projects, including the Port’s proposed Floating Offshore Wind Staging and Integration facility, known as “Pier Wind.”
A conceptual assessment is scheduled for completion in spring 2023 for Pier Wind, which aims to become the largest facility specifically designed to accommodate the assembly of offshore wind turbines at any U.S. seaport. Turbines assembled in Long Beach would be deployed to wind farms off the coast of Central and Northern California.
The project would help California meet a goal of producing 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045, in addition to creating jobs and economic opportunities for communities near the San Pedro Bay port complex.