Today I toured the Port of Oakland. Now, taken together, our seaports account for roughly 8.4 million American jobs and add nearly $2 trillion to our economy. And, as the 4th busiest container port in the United States, Oakland is a significant economic driver for California and the Northwest region.
So, it’s good to know that Oakland’s port commissioners recently approved a Maritime Air Quality Improvement Plan to reduce diesel pollution from port sources by 85% by 2020.
As we seek to reduce emissions and energy use in transportation--whether on water, land, or in the air--this is an important step.
I, and Senator Boxer who was with me today, also applaud the ports of Stockton and West
Sacramento for joining with Oakland to develop new waterborne export
and import options. Together, these coastal ports will serve as a
gateway to the heart of California’s agricultural region, helping local
farmers expand their export options and reduce transportation costs.
This all-water 'highway' will create jobs, take trucks off congested roads, and improve air quality.
That's transportation for the 21st century.
The Obama Administration is committed to investing
in our maritime ports to modernize their
infrastructure, keep goods flowing freely and efficiently, and keep
jobs in this sector going strong.
That's because we project that freight flowing through our all our ports will increase by more than 50 percent by 2020. And the volume of international container traffic will more than double.
We’re focused on looking ahead, so President Obama’s 2010 budget includes $15 million to develop our "marine highway" services. This will make better use of the 25,000 miles of waterways that carry domestic freight.
Ports, freight rail, and trucking are all bound together logistically and economically. And, we need to develop multi-modal transportation corridors that maximize efficiency and value while reducing congestion and minimizing environmental impacts.
What I've seen today tells me California’s port community understands this approach; they are working to make it happen.
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