U.S. Ports Hit a Storm.

Focuses on ports in the United States, which are seeking to expand their operations but are facing mounting opposition. Environmental concerns of the opposition related to an increase of cargo ships with diesel engines; Comments from Natalie O'Neill, mayor of Taylor Lake Village (Tex.) and an opponent of a proposal to expand a port in Houston, regarding the negative impact of larger ports on the U.S. economy; Reasons for the delay in opening a new terminal in Los Angeles (Calif.); Efforts of opponents in several port cities, including Charleston (S.C.) and Savannah (Ga.), to block proposed expansions; View of maritime executives that logjams at ports hurt the U.S. economy; Percentage of U.S. imports arriving by ship, indicating the importance of U.S. ports; View of environmentalists that ports are largest contributors to air pollution.