By Samantha Mehlinger, Assistant Editor, Long Beach Business Journal.

In a poll of 400 “likely voters” in Long Beach, San Pedro and Wilmington, more than 70% reported that they were supportive of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan draft update. The policy document lays out proposed regulations and goals for converting trucks and equipment to near-zero and zero emission technology.

Funded by the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, the phone poll was conducted from August 15 to 17 by Los Angeles-based research firm Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3). Those polled were selected at random, and the margin of error is 4.9% in either direction, according to the survey results.

The draft Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) would require that all trucks entering the ports meet a near-zero emission standard by 2023 and a zero-emission standard by 2035 or face a fee. It also would require cargo handling equipment to operate at zero emissions by 2030. The Long Beach and Los Angeles harbor commissions are scheduled to vote on a final version of the document on November 2.

A 90% majority of those surveyed supported the overall zero-emissions goal of 2035. Only 6% opposed the proposal, with 4% unsure.

An 84% majority supported creating guidelines beyond what state and federal regulations require.