So who says that ports are not competitive? This sort of story shows that ports are not unmitigated economic benefits. They also carry risk. If LA does not build the terminal, it runs the risk of being put out of business by the Panama Canal and Eastern US ports. If it does, Long Beach has to compete somehow, and will be forced to expand so it won’t lose trade to LA.
And the environmental issue!! I claim this is an economic story not environmental. Everyone wants clean air, but they also want jobs. Clean air can’t be bought by not expanding and meeting competition. It has to pay for itself also.
Rail Project for Port of Los Angeles Sparks Anger in Long Beach – NYTimes.com.
Supply Chain and Logistics 