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Clean Trucks Won´t Hinder Port

By Kristopher Hanson

LONG BEACH - Diversion of cargo to competing West Coast seaports would be minimal if authorities in San Pedro Bay implement their proposed clean-truck program, a new study shows.

The report, presented Monday to port commissioners in Long Beach, showed that the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles would lose about 1.2 percent of their annual container throughput if authorities adopt a proposed taxi-cab style concession system for motor carriers operating at local marine terminals.

The truck plan, which awaits ratification by both port commissions, would restrict marine terminal access to trucking companies with the cleanest trucks operated by employee drivers.

It's being pushed as a way to clean up diesel emissions from the estimated 16,000 big rigs hauling goods in and out of local ports each day, which health studies link to higher rates of asthma, lung disease and cancer. Click here to read the full story.