Clean white trucks symbolise 80% emission reduction by Clean Trucks Program
Pollution reduced almost 80 % – two years ahead of schedule
The Port of Long Beach ushered in 2010 with a major Clean Trucks Program milestone, banning about eight thousand 1993 and older “dirty diesel” trucks and replacing them mostly with the signature white rigs that now service the Port. About 90 percent of all truck engines now meet the strict U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2007 emissions standards, for a pollution reduction of nearly 80 percent since the program began in 2008.
The Clean Trucks Program was designed to cut emissions from big-rigs by 80 percent by January, 2012. However, the program has nearly achieved the 80 percent reduction already, because of a quicker-than-expected turnover of the trucking fleet. “Truck pollution is a major concern in Long Beach and the region. I’m very proud that we’re close to meeting our 2012 goal two years ahead of schedule,” said Nick Sramek, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners.
The Port of Long Beach kicked off its Clean Trucks Program in October 2008 with a ban on all trucks built before 1989.
From the start of 2010, all 1993 and older drayage trucks, as well as unretrofitted 1994-2003 trucks are banned, unless owners can demonstrate they are legitimately awaiting delivery of an ordered vehicle. For the exempted trucks, the owners have until the new truck is delivered or April 30, 2010, whichever comes first.
The final deadline will be Jan. 1, 2012, when all trucks entering Port shipping facilities must meet the EPA 2007 standard.
Westport Innovations, a supplier of CNG and LNG trucks, said that approximately 1,000 LNG trucks will make up the LNG truck fleet by April 30, 2010 including the recent round of funding by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Adding to the growing fleet of natural gas trucks, the SCAQMD, California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the Ports have now also initiated discussions for the next round of Prop 1B funding for the Clean Trucks Program for 2010.
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