I’m holding my breath – though I probably shouldn’t – to see what will happen with our ports’ efforts to reduce truck pollution. The ability of the ports to implement their plans by the planned October 1 start date is still very much in doubt. The trucking industry’s lawsuit is still expected soon, and may well go against both ports, not just Los Angeles with its employee-driver requirement. And the Federal Maritime Commission could still call a halt to the ports’ efforts if it decides the programs will restrict competition. I can only hope – as my face turns bright blue – that the bureaucrats, attorneys, and judges make their evaluations and decisions quickly.
Uncertainty notwithstanding, there have been some new developments. The Port of Long Beach has pre-ordered 300 new clean-fuel trucks – 200 low-emission diesels and 100 fueled by liquefied natural gas – so that they will be ready to replace pre-1989 trucks that will be banned starting October 1. The port has also chosen a company to provide financing for the purchase of new clean trucks, and, along with the Port of Los Angeles, is letting a sizeable contract to a firm that will manage the truck concession and grants programs.
The City Council has voted to undertake a study session to examine the Long Beach port’s plan to offer financing to individual truck owner-operators. Some councilmembers are concerned that individuals might default on these large loans, and believe trucking companies – who will be the only recipients of loans from the Port of Los Angeles – would be less likely to do so. According to the Cunningham Report, however, City Attorney Bob Shannon cautioned the Council that the Harbor Commission has the final say on this matter.
I am very grateful to Mayor Foster for making himself available to us Long Beach Posters this week. One of my questions got an answer that particularly pleased me. I asked whether he thought this region could ever implement a “zero-emissions” container movement system (whatever the technology might be). He responded that we should “start today” to envision and implement such a system. I was so glad to hear this can-do response, in refreshing contrast to the many naysayers I’ve encountered on this point. In rail and truck, we do have functional technologies today, but their environmental and health impacts are making capacity increases politically difficult. We will always need technologies that perform these functions, but our collective challenge is to find clean, cleaner, even cleanest alternatives. I’m glad at least one local leader is ready and willing to have that discussion.