Chick to Scrutinize Port Decision

City Controller Laura Chick announced Monday that she plans to scrutinize the Los Angeles port’s decision to throw out the bids from shipping companies that want to use its new “green terminal,” starting the process again with less stringent environmental criteria.

Chick said she would look at that controversial step as part of a long-planned follow-up audit on leasing practices at the nation’s largest port.

In 2003, Chick criticized the port for failing to competitively bid leases and for ignoring sound business controls.

Port spokesman Arley Baker said the port would welcome Chick’s input. “This is the first open bid process we’ve ever had for a terminal here,” Baker said. “There’s opportunity for regrouping and refining the process.”

The port last week weakened a plan to limit emissions from ships berthed at Terminal Island. By using electricity instead of diesel fuel while docked, the vessels are intended to be a national model for reduced ship pollution.

The port rejected all four bids from shipping companies, including two that promised to meet the port’s goal of operating 80% of their ships with electrical power within two years. The port asked for new bids last week, requiring that 70% of docked ships use electricity within three years.

Concern about air pollution from the Port of Los Angeles has grown in recent months, prompted by studies showing that it stunts children’s lungs and that nearby residents have higher rates of lung and throat cancer.

Also on Monday, state Sen. Richard Alarcon, who is running for mayor, questioned the port’s actions and urged Chick to examine them closely.

“I am completely dumbfounded at how the city can continue to thumb their noses at ethical standards,” Alarcon said. “All I know is, the people who reside near the port are being hurt unnecessarily because the pollutants will be spewed out into their community.” Port officials have been trying to lease the land on Terminal Island for more than two years -- an effort that has stirred controversy.

Last year, Mayor James K. Hahn’s office interfered in the port commission’s deliberations over the lease. Some commissioners favored P&O; Nedlloyd Container Line Ltd. of London, while the mayor’s office wanted to accommodate Taiwan-based Evergreen Marine Corp. The port commission finally put the berths up for bid, a first for the port.

Critics speculate that the port rejected the bids and altered its request to make it easier for Evergreen and Tokyo-based Yusen Terminal Inc. to qualify.

P&O; Nedlloyd and another company, Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line, had both offered to meet the 80% goal, while neither Evergreen nor Yusen said it would hook up ships at the site.

On Monday, Hahn’s office said neither he nor his aides have had anything to do with the current bidding.

“The mayor is a resident of San Pedro. He and his children breathe that air every day,” said Deputy Mayor Doane Liu. “The mayor is steadfastly committed to making the Port of Los Angeles the greenest port in the world.”