Developments on the LA/Long Beach Harbor Clean Truck Program
Since 2008, the Port of Los Angeles Clean Truck Program has had the goal to make the surrounding area eco-friendly. Additional updates have been made throughout the years, and if you are wondering where the project stands now, here are the basics you need to know.
Timeline of the Project
The Clean Truck Program is actually one component of a much larger plan referred to as the Clean Air Action Plan. This plan was developed in 2006, and authorities in both Los Angeles and Long Beach came together to attempt to reduce the number of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Aggressive milestones were put into place to make the trucks that come into the Long Beach Port more energy efficient.
In 2008, the port banned all trucks that were using engines made in 1989 or older. In 2010, additional measures were taken to prevent truck engines made between 1989 and 1994 from entering the port. Another provision was added to limit truck engines produced between 1994 and 2003 that did not receive eco-friendly retrofits. Finally, in 2012, trucks could only enter the port if they met all specifications stated in the 2007 Federal Clean Truck Emissions Standards. The goal of these measures is to get companies to invest in more recently made vehicles that produce far fewer emissions than trucks in the past.
Concession Program
A big part of this plan was the development of the concession program. This program creates a relationship between the port and the licensed motor carriers. This program allows the owners of the vehicle to obtain funding and grants to phase out old, inefficient trucks. Since its implementation, the program has helped over 900 licensed motor carriers get new vehicles.
Success of the Program
Many people who heard about this program years ago may be wondering how successful it has been. In the first year alone, the program reduced emissions at the port by nearly 70 percent. By 2012, that number rose to 80 percent. As a result, the program has been extremely successful in achieving its goals, and many companies have moved over to using cleaner vehicles. This is advantageous for both the companies and the people in the community who live in the vicinity of the port.
While more work is required, the Port of Los Angeles Clean Truck Program is an excellent start. With the great success it has seen, hopefully more programs can be implemented in the future to make Los Angeles and Long Beach greener cities.