The effect of high energy prices and other challenges to the competitiveness of California ports were discussed at the Dec. 5 meeting of the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners.

Commissioner Diane Middleton pointed to what she felt were “shocking figures” in a recent article in the November issue of the West Coast Trade Report of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association that reported the average price of diesel fuel in California in October was 37.8% higher than the average for the rest of the U.S.

The disparity in electrical prices was…