Judge Sides With Ports On Clean Trucks

September 10, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

The American Trucking Associations recently filed a lawsuit challenging plans by L.A. port officials to ban pre-1989 trucks from its port. This week Federal Judge Christina Snyder denied the request, writing in her decision that the L.A. port program has safety and environmental benefits, AP reports (via Mercury News).

The ATA says it will seek immediate review of U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder’s denial.

ATA says it opposes the concession agreements but supports the Ports Clean Truck Programs, including the phased retirement of older trucks from the port operations and their replacement with newer, cleaner vehicles. The Port concession agreements that ATA opposes are simply not needed to meet the Ports environmental goals.

The Coalition for Responsible Transportation also responded to the judge’s ruling, writing in a statement:

While today’s ruling sets the stage for a continued legal fight, CRT is taking another route, working to put cleaner trucks on the road to reduce emissions in and around the Ports. CRT and its members – who have already purchased or ordered more than one thousand clean trucks to serve the San Pedro Bay ports – will continue to purchase clean diesel and LNG trucks. CRT members understand the need for additional Port fees to help offset the cost of putting newer, cleaner trucks on the road, and we are committed to meeting current and 2010 EPA standards in advance so that we may provide cleaner, safer, and more reliable goods movement at the Port.

The ban is part of green transformations two of America’s largest ports are undergoing, and is scheduled to start Oct. 1.

In July, port officials in Los Angeles and Long Beach launched a program to clean up the polluted twin ports, offering greenbacks to go green. The program aims to slash GHG emissions roughly in half by 2012 by requiring container-ships to use cleaner fuels while idling in port; replacing old polluting trucks with electric trucks; and introducing the world’s first hybrid tugboat, Newsweek reports.

As part of the plan, the two ports will ban trucks built before 1989. By 2012 trucks that don’t meet the 2007 diesel standards will also be banned. Both ports will provide up to 80 percent of the purchase price of the clean trucks. L.A. officials say they will pay an additional $5,000 for pre-1989 trucks.

The plan will cost the twin ports at least $18 million this year. Revamped state regulations are expected to start next July, at which time all ships will be forced to burn cleaner fuel without subsidies. The move is expected to reduce ship emissions by 80 percent, according to state officials.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Survey Results: Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader