Regulatory & Financial Landscape¶
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Multi-Agency Jurisdiction¶
The San Pedro Bay port complex operates under the most comprehensive at-berth emissions regulatory framework in the United States. Multiple federal, state, and regional agencies exercise overlapping jurisdiction — with CARB's At-Berth Regulation providing the enforceable emissions controls that have delivered 90%+ DPM reductions since 2005.
Data Sources¶
| Source | Publisher | Data Provided | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARB At-Berth Regulation | CARB | Compliance data, vessel coverage, emissions reduction verification | arb.ca.gov |
| South Coast AQMD | SCAQMD | Regional air quality permits, AB 617 CERP, community monitoring | aqmd.gov |
| Port of LA Annual Reports | Port of LA | Financial performance, tonnage, capital investments, emissions inventories | portoflosangeles.org |
| Port of Long Beach Annual Reports | Port of Long Beach | Financial performance, tonnage, capital investments, emissions inventories | polb.com |
| Navigation Permits | USACE Los Angeles District | Section 10/404 permits for dredging and construction | spl.usace.army.mil |
| Marine Safety Data | USCG Sector LA/Long Beach | MISLE inspection and casualty data | uscg.mil |
Regulatory Map¶
Federal Agencies¶
| Agency | Jurisdiction | Port Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Region 9 | Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA | Air quality oversight, EJScreen, TRI reporting; authorized CARB at-berth regulation under CAA in October 2023 |
| USACE Los Angeles District | Rivers & Harbors Act, CWA §404 | Navigation channel maintenance, dredging permits, harbor construction |
| USCG Sector LA/Long Beach | Ports & Waterways Safety | Vessel inspections, marine casualties, hazardous materials |
| MARAD | Maritime Administration | Port infrastructure grants, vessel disposal |
State Agencies¶
| Agency | Jurisdiction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CARB | At-berth emissions regulation, mobile source authority | At-berth regulation in effect since 2014, strengthened 2020; covers container, reefer, ro-ro, cruise, and tanker vessels |
| South Coast AQMD (SCAQMD) | Regional air quality management | AB 617 CERP implementation, community monitoring, stationary source permits, co-funder of STAX/Seabound carbon capture demonstration |
Port Authorities¶
| Authority | Jurisdiction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Los Angeles | LA harbor district | 10.3M TEUs (2024); separate authority from Long Beach; shore power infrastructure at multiple terminals |
| Port of Long Beach | Long Beach harbor district | 9.6M TEUs (2024); separate authority from LA; independent emissions inventory and sustainability programs |
Two Ports, One Complex
The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach are separate, independent port authorities that share the San Pedro Bay. Each publishes its own annual emissions inventory, maintains independent terminal operator agreements, and sets its own sustainability targets. Both operate under the same CARB at-berth regulatory framework.
CARB At-Berth Regulation¶
California's At-Berth Regulation is the cornerstone of emissions control at LA/Long Beach — and the model for every other port in the country.
| Regulatory Milestone | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Original At-Berth Regulation | 2014 | First mandatory at-berth emissions controls for container, cruise, and reefer vessels |
| Strengthened Regulation | 2020 | Expanded vessel class coverage, tightened compliance requirements |
| EPA CAA Authorization | October 2023 | Legally enables any state to adopt the identical CARB standard |
| Ro-Ro coverage (LA/LB) | January 2025 | Ro-ro vessels at Southern California ports now regulated |
| Tanker coverage expansion | January 2027 | All California ports; tankers become regulated |
The regulation has achieved over 95% compliance across the port complex, delivering 90%+ DPM reductions, 98% SOx reductions, and 73% NOx reductions from 2005 baselines — while cargo volumes grew 38%.
AB 617 Environmental Justice Framework¶
Wilmington, Carson, and West Long Beach were designated as an AB 617 environmental justice community by CalEPA. The South Coast AQMD's Community Emissions Reduction Plan (CERP) sets enforceable targets for reducing emissions from each source category within the 48-square-mile designated zone.
| AB 617 Component | Status |
|---|---|
| Community designation | Active |
| CERP adopted | Yes — South Coast AQMD |
| Community monitoring | Active — hyperlocal PM2.5, NO₂, toxics |
| Toxic air contaminants (2020) | 1.7 million pounds |
| Industrial sources in zone | 2 ports, 5 refineries, 9 rail yards, 4 freeways |
AB 617 creates a community-level emissions reduction framework with enforceable targets, resident-led monitoring, and mandatory CERP implementation — demonstrating that comprehensive environmental justice regulation is achievable at scale.
STAX On-Call Provider Status¶
In July 2025, STAX Engineering was named the first official on-call provider for at-berth emissions control at the Port of Los Angeles — a milestone marking the transition from regulatory compliance to operational infrastructure.
| STAX Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| On-call provider designation | Port of LA, July 2025 |
| Vessels treated | 1,190+ across 5 California ports |
| Operating hours | 25,000+ |
| Pollutants captured | 190 tonnes |
| CARB Executive Orders | 4 barges approved for tanker service (August 2025) |
| Vessel classes covered | Container ships, auto carriers, tankers — first provider approved for all 3 |
| Carbon capture demonstration | April 2025, Port of Long Beach — integrated emissions + CO₂ capture with Seabound, verified by Yorke Engineering |
STAX barge-mounted capture systems (99% PM2.5, 95% NOx removal) serve vessel classes that cannot use shore power — ensuring comprehensive at-berth coverage regardless of vessel type or terminal configuration.
Pathways Forward¶
1. 2028 Olympics Clean Air Commitment¶
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics present a singular opportunity to demonstrate clean port operations at global scale. LACI's Clean Energy 2028 Roadmap targets a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Greater Los Angeles by the Games. At-berth emissions capture is a visible, measurable component of that goal.
2. Integrated Carbon Capture¶
The April 2025 STAX/Seabound demonstration at Long Beach proved integrated emissions and carbon capture from a single vessel exhaust stream — with CO₂ captured at approximately 80% efficiency and permanently mineralized. CARB and SCAQMD co-funded the demonstration.
3. National Model Export¶
EPA's October 2023 authorization of CARB's regulation under the Clean Air Act legally enables any state to adopt the identical standard. LA/LB's demonstrated results — 90%+ DPM reduction, 98% SOx reduction, over 95% compliance, compatible with record cargo growth — provide the evidence base for national adoption.
4. Carbon Credit Revenue¶
Carbon credit frameworks under development — including Verra VCS methodology for maritime at-berth capture and SD VISta Air Quality Health Units — could provide additional revenue streams to fund continued technology deployment.
5. Continued Technology Investment¶
Despite long-term reductions, 2024 year-over-year emissions increases (+8% DPM at LA, +23% at LB) driven by record cargo volumes demonstrate that sustained investment in capture technology and enforcement vigilance remain essential.
Last updated: April 2026
Data sources: CARB, South Coast AQMD, Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, USACE Los Angeles District, USCG Sector LA/Long Beach, EPA Region 9, STAX Engineering