Port of Long Beach Moves Forward with Clean Truck Plan

The Port of Long Beach has launched a Clean Trucks Program that will reduce air pollution from harbor trucks by more than 80 percent within five years.

The Clean Trucks Program is outlined in the San Pedro Bay Ports' Clean Air Action Plan. Diesel-powered harbor trucks are a major source of air pollution. The Clean Trucks Program calls for drayage truck owners to scrap and replace about 16,000 polluting trucks working at the ports, with the assistance of a port-sponsored grant or loan subsidy.

Under Long Beach's "concession" plan, truckers can lease to own a new truck for as little as $500 a month, including pre-paid maintenance. They can choose to work as employees or owner operators. Health insurance options will be provided. Truckers will need to have a federal Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC).

Beginning October 1, 2008, 1988 and older trucks will be banned. The program progressively bans all trucks that don't meet 2007 emission standards by 2012. To finance the $2 billion truck replacement program, the Port of Long Beach will levy a fee on loaded containers ($35 per loaded twenty-foot equivalent unit) beginning October 1.

For more information on the program, you may go to the Port of Long Beach Website at http://www.polb.com.

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