FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW TARIFF PROPOSES PROGRESSIVE BAN OF OLDER, HIGH-POLLUTING TRUCKS SERVING THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES

AT NOV. 1 BOARD MEETING, L.A. HARBOR COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER MEASURE THAT WILL HELP REDUCE PORT RELATED TRUCK EMISSIONS BY 80 PERCENT

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — October 25, 2007 (REVISED 10-30-07)— At the Nov. 1, 2007, Los Angeles Harbor Commission meeting, Port of Los Angeles staff members will present a proposed tariff item intended to implement the progressive ban of older trucks from operation at the Port, beginning in October 2008.  If approved by Los Angeles harbor commissioners, the proposed tariff will also require mayoral and city council approval by adoption as a city ordinance.  Port of Long Beach Harbor Commissioners will deliberate a similar ban at the Oct. 29, 2007, meeting of the Long Beach Harbor Commission.  Tariff requirements will enable the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to reduce port-related truck pollution by approximately 80 percent over a period of just over five years. 

“This proposed tariff moves our air quality goals forward next year with a progressive truck ban schedule that is not only consistent with the anticipated requirements proposed by the California Air Resources Board, but actually achieves even more emissions reductions in an accelerated timeframe,” said Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.  “While we are still working on the broader Clean Trucks Program components, this tariff shows our commitment to advancing the air quality goals we set forth in the Clean Air Action Plan approved by both port boards last November.”         

Under this tariff, trucks will only be granted access to Port terminals if they are registered with the Ports and have a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tag that will provide information about each truck to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  Port marine terminal operators will be required to equip their terminals with RFID tag readers to manage access of drayage trucks and ensure that they are compliant with the emissions standards that the ports are establishing through the progressive ban schedule.

Truck Progressive Ban/Tariff Schedule

The proposed tariff language specifies that, beginning October 10, 2008, the Ports would reduce harmful emissions at the Port terminals by denying access to older trucks according to a progressive ban by model year scheduled over the five-year Clean Trucks Program schedule.  The schedule for the progressive ban is as follows:

• Ban pre-1989 trucks from Port service by October 1, 2008
• Ban 1989-1993 trucks from Port service by January 1, 2010
• Ban unretrofitted 1994-2003 trucks from Port service by January 1, 2010
• Ban pre-2007 trucks from Port service by January 1, 2012
 

The tariff would not apply to “Dedicated Use Vehicles,” defined in the tariff as On-Road Vehicles that do not have separate tractors and trailers, including auto transports, fuel delivery vehicles, concrete mixers; mobile cranes and construction equipment. 

Celebrating its Centennial in 2007, the Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading seaport in the nation in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. At the Port of Los Angeles, high priority is placed on responsible and sustainable growth initiatives, combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. For its industry leading environmental initiatives, the Port received two Environmental Protection Agency awards in 2006. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.