California Progress Report, the site that statewide Democrats and their staffs click on for their morning coffee, is running a two-day series by Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports Chair Patricia Castellanos and CCSP Oakland Director Doug Bloch on Los Angeles’ green-growth port model, aka “smart 21st century policymaking at its finest,” and a similar groundbreaking movement afoot in Oakland.

Castellanos and Bloch serve up one of the most concise summaries of the green ports movement I've seen so far. Here’s the recipe: Start with venerable enviros, public health groups, local activists, and labor advocates who recognize the link between the environmental crisis and the economic conditions at California’s ports. Stir in massive community pressure from harbor area residents and port truck drivers tired of suffering the consequences of a backwards, broken port trucking system. Add politicians with the spine and wherewithal to stand up for clean air and their constituents in the face of blusterous industry obstructionism, and bake in a futuristic, energy-saving oven. Voila! you have a sustainable model that will fix the public health crisis, deliver massive benefits (in the billions) to the regional economy, and ultimately lead to the green growth needed to meet growing trade demand.

You'll find today's installment here, and be sure to check back tomorrow for Part Two.