HARVARD ‘BRIGHT IDEAS’ AWARD RECOGNIZES INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM (TAP)

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — October 5, 2010 — The Technology Advancement Program (TAP), a joint program created and funded by the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, has been recognized by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as among the nation’s most innovative government programs. 

Of approximately 600 programs considered, 173 were selected by for the Bright Ideas Program. In its inaugural year, Bright Ideas is designed to recognize and share creative government initiatives around the country with interested public sector, nonprofit, and academic communities. This year’s Bright Ideas were chosen by a team of expert evaluators made up of academics, practitioners, and former public servants.  

The ports’ Technology Advancement Program is designed to accelerate the verification or commercial availability of new emissions reduction technologies. TAP identifies, evaluates, and demonstrates new and emerging emissions reduction technologies and strategies applicable to the port industry that could be used to control port-related emissions.  

Both the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have each contributed $1.5 million annually since 2007. The funds have helped develop, among other projects, a hybrid tug and a pollution control device that attaches to the boiler and auxiliary engine stacks of an container ship. 

The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative, strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves.  As the leading seaport in North America, in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues.  A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars.  The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port.  A brighter future.