November 5, 2007
The Los Angeles Harbor Commission on Nov. 1 unanimously approved a mea-sure to start banning the oldest, dirtiest trucks from port operations beginning in October 2008. The measure, part of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, is expected to reduce port-related truck pollution by 80 percent over the next five years.
The progressive phase-out bans pre-1989 trucks starting in October 2008; by January 2012, only trucks that meet 2007 emission standards will be al-lowed to serve the port. The measure does not apply to on-road trucks that do not have separate tractors and trailers (called “dedicated use vehicles”).
To take effect, the measure must be approved by the Los Angeles City Council as a city ordinance. The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners pulled a staff proposal for a similar measure from its agenda Oct. 29; Commission President Mario Cordero said there were inconsistencies between the two ports’ proposals, and he wanted the full commission to consider the plan.
Meanwhile, Nike and its Converse affiliate announced that they will switch a significant portion of their Los Angeles–area harbor drayage feet from diesel to new LNG vehicles. The announcement accompanied news that Nike has joined the Coalition for Responsible Transportation, a group advocating for policies and public-private partnerships that encourage the use of cleaner truck technologies in port communities.
Courtesy of CNGVC, www.cngvc.org.