Hahn Supports Port Task Force’s Plan

Mayor James K. Hahn, in one of his last actions, will recommend that his successor, Antonio Villaraigosa, take action on a massive plan to reduce Port of Los Angeles air pollution to 2001 levels.

The statement from his office Wednesday did not formally approve the plan forged by a 21-member task force, despite a letter urging him to do that, signed by the group’s community, labor, public health and environmental representatives.

Industry representatives, who were also part of the task force, have questioned the plan’s viability.

The statement brought to an inconclusive close his much-touted 2001 pledge to halt the growth of pollution from the city-owned port. Since he made that promise, port-related diesel emissions have soared nearly 64%.

Hahn’s office issued a one-sentence statement about the report issued last week by the task force Hahn created to find innovative ways to tackle the problem.

“Mayor Hahn will recommend that the Villaraigosa administration adopt the report’s finding to make sure the Port of Los Angeles is the nation’s leader in clean air standards,” said spokesman Jeff Millman, who read the statement.

The task force recommended at least 68 ways that pollution could be reduced over 20 years at a cost of at least $11 billion.

“I’m bitterly disappointed that Jim Hahn didn’t deliver on his promise of ‘no net increase,’ and now, four years down the road, the hot potato’s being tossed to Antonio Villaraigosa,” said San Pedro activist Noel Park.

Villaraigosa is expected to replace most or all harbor commissioners. Councilwoman Janice Hahn, the mayor’s sister, said the plan would have more weight if the new commission acts on it. She said she would press on with a motion to have Hahn’s task force continue its work.

Shipping industry spokesman Tupper Hull reiterated concerns that the plan is unworkable. “It cannot, unfortunately, be used as the blueprint it set out to be,” Hull said.