Truck modernization program approved at Port of Los Angeles

SAN PEDRO, Calif.-The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners and the Gateway Cities Council will fund their Truck Fleet Modernization Program with an additional $4.7 million over the next three years. The Truck Fleet Modernization program provides incentives of $20,000 to $50,000 per vehicle for commercial truck owners to trade in pre-1984 vehicles for newer models with cleaner burning engines.

The Port of Los Angeles has contributed funding to the Truck Fleet Modernization Program since 2003, and has invested a total of $14.7 million, said a statement.

More than 203 trucks have been replaced, saving up to 812 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and up to 203 tons of particulate matter (PM) over the next five years. By 2008, a total of 400 to 500 trucks will have modernized through this program.

“We all know that trucks are a big contributor to the air pollution at the port and this program encourages truck drivers to buy and drive cleaner burning trucks,” said Councilwoman Janice Hahn. “Many of these drivers do not want to drive polluting trucks but they struggle just to make ends meet every week. With the assistance of these grants they will finally be able to get rid of their old, dirty trucks and purchase newer, cleaner vehicles, improving air quality in the Harbor area and beyond.”

“This program gets to the heart of a large source of emissions at the Port, the trucks that haul containers,” said the Port’s Director of Environmental Management, Dr. Ralph Appy. “It is one of the most cost-effective means to reduce emissions in the Port, and we are targeting the haulers who frequently call at container terminals adjacent to the Wilmington community.”

Gateway Cities funds will be available to registered truck owners who can verify that they have made at least 500 to 700 average annual trips to or from the Port of Los Angeles, and priority will be given to trucks that have the most documented trips to the West Basin area of the Harbor District.