SAN PEDRO, CA - The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Gateway Cities Council, funding 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 has contributed funding to the Truck Fleet Modernization Program since 2003, and has invested a total of $14.7 million.

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.

The Port of Los Angeles is America's premier port. As the leading container port in the nation and a critical hub in the international supply chain, the Port generates thousands of stable jobs and billions of dollars in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles also places a high priority on responsible growth initiatives combined with high security, environmental stewardship and community outreach. The Port of Los Angeles is a proprietary, self-supported department of the City of Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles ... Anchoring a bright future.

Port of Los Angeles

Port of Los Angeles

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 259,000 regional jobs and $8.4 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 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.

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