An industry coalition representing trucking companies and retailers like Best Buy and Target have taken out full page ads ( CRT.pdf ) in the Press Telegram and Daily Breeze pledging to work with L.B. Mayor Bob Foster and port authorities in ridding the harbor of older, soot-spewing diesel trucks.
The controversial regulation, known as the "Clean Trucks Program," seeks to changeover some 17,000 diesel rigs currently hauling cargo to and from the waterfront in Long Beach and Los Angeles. Regulators say the progressive turnover will ban rigs not meeting federal 2007 emission standards by Jan. 1, 2012.
The entire turnover is expected to exceed $2 billion, with much of the funding coming from container fees, state bonds, local grants and port profits. Container fees will be paid by retailers beginning Jan. 1, 2009.
The industry group, known as the Coalition for Responsible Transportation, expects to have 1,500 "clean" trucks in service by year's end, said spokesman David Gershwin.
Previously, a coalition of labor, environmental and healthcare groups opposed to Long Beach's scheme (Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports), placed ads blasting Foster for his "anti-worker" solution to the problem, saying it unfairly shifts the burden of truck purchase and maintenance to low-wage immigrant drivers.
The group would like to see trucking companies and retailers pick up the entire cost for new trucks - an approach adopted in neighboring Los Angeles.
*On a related note, a national trucking association filed a federal lawsuit in late July to block both cities' plans, saying they violate federal law. A preliminary ruling may be issued soon....
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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