NGVAmerica has filed comments with the Ports of Long Beach
and Los Angeles (Ports) in response to their draft Clean Air Action
Plan. The Ports have proposed an aggressive schedule for reducing
air emissions at the ports and accelerating the introduction of clean
vehicle
technologies.
The current draft contemplates the introduction of some 5,000
LNG trucks over the next several years.
The measure relies on the availability of public funding, new fees,
and lease negotiations. A significant aspect of the plan is
raising in excess of a $1 billion to help pay the cost of replacing
older trucks with new, clean trucks.
NGVAmerica commended the Ports for preparing such an aggressive and
far-reaching plan. In particular, they supported the plans
proposal to target the best available control technology for
introduction and emphasizing an alternative fuel track. One of
the implementation scenarios reviewed contemplates that 50 percent of
truck replacements would be diesel-fueled vehicles and 50 percent would
be alternative fueled.
Actual implementation levels will depend on how the emission
requirements for vehicles are finalized and on available funding.
NGVAmerica commented that natural gas engines have demonstrated the
ability to certify to very low emission levels and should be given
equal consideration with diesel technologies. They also noted
that NGVs provide significant advantages, not only in terms of being
able to meet 2007/2010 emission levels, but also in terms of having
superior in-use emissions compared to similar diesel engines and having
the potential ability to be even cleaner than the standards required
for 2007/2010. And introduction of such natural gas
vehicles is consistent with California long-term goal of reducing its
dependence on petroleum. The submission stated that the cleanest
available technologies should receive priority when it comes to funding
levels.
NGVAmerica also urged the Port authorities to expedite efforts to adopt
other incentives for cleaner trucks and equipment. These other
measures will help accelerate the introduction of the cleanest
technologies by providing added incentives for owners and
operators. The draft plan indicates the Ports are considering
measures such as a green lane program to expedite “clean trucks,” a
medallion program to limit “dirty trucks,” tariff changes or sliding
fee mechanism that favor “clean trucks.” Ports were urged
to adopt the incentives as soon as possible so that owners and
operators can factor them into their decision making when choosing
different technologies.
A copy of the comments will be posted on the NGVAmerica website in the Policy section under State Matters. If you would like a copy now, contact Jeff Clarke jclarke@ngvamerica.org.
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