Post by Diego on Nov 14, 2009 9:44:16 GMT -5
Truckers stage Clean Truck Program protest on 710 Freeway
By Art Marroquin Staff Writer
Posted: 11/13/2009
At least 100 independent truck drivers who usually haul cargo in and out of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach clogged local freeways and circled Los Angeles City Hall on Friday to protest aspects of the Clean Truck Program.
The protest was organized by the National Port Drivers Association, which opposes a pending statewide ban on diesel-spewing big rigs built before 1994 beginning Jan. 1. The group is asking for a two-year extension to purchase cleaner-burning trucks.
The association also opposes the part of the Port of Los Angeles' version of the Clean Truck Program that bars independent, owner-operator drivers from entering port terminals in favor of drivers who are employed by freight companies.
Because the Port of Los Angeles only awards the money to the trucking companies, the group said its members miss out on grants to purchase cleaner-burning rigs meeting 2007 federal emissions standards.
"The Clean Truck Program is unconstitutional," said Ronald Martinez, vice president of the NPDA.
"The port is giving grants to the companies, but the independent drivers are not getting anything and we are being forced into a situation we don't want to be in," he said. "We would like to see less pollution, but we would also like to be independent and be able to afford these new trucks."
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach launched the $1.6 billion Clean Truck Program on Oct. 1, 2008, with a goal of reducing
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diesel truck emissions by 80 percent. By 2012, all trucks entering the ports will be required to meet 2007 federal emissions standards.
The Port of Long Beach allows independent drivers into the port, while the Port of Los Angeles adopted a mandate that requires all drivers to be employees of trucking companies by 2013.
Outside of the ports, there are millions of dollars worth of federal and state grants available to independent drivers that provide up to $80,000 for each new truck, said Arley Baker, a spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles.
"When we developed this program, one of the problems we identified early on was that many of these independent drivers did not have the financial wherewithal to own and operate a clean truck, despite the amount of public funding available to them," Baker said.
"They're feeling the squeeze, unfortunately," Baker said. "That's the reason why our program includes licensed motor carriers, who have more capital and the ability to turn over their trucking fleets."
During Friday's protest, truckers honked their horns and flashed their lights as they slowly drove on the northbound Long Beach (710) Freeway to Interstate 5 during the early morning commute.
But when the caravan reached downtown Los Angeles, the commotion fell on deaf ears as the the truckers circled City Hall. The City Council was on recess this week because most of its members were attending the National League of Cities' annual conference in San Antonio.
Afternoon traffic was also snarled as the truckers headed back south on the 710 Freeway toward the twin port complex.
By Art Marroquin Staff Writer
Posted: 11/13/2009
At least 100 independent truck drivers who usually haul cargo in and out of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach clogged local freeways and circled Los Angeles City Hall on Friday to protest aspects of the Clean Truck Program.
The protest was organized by the National Port Drivers Association, which opposes a pending statewide ban on diesel-spewing big rigs built before 1994 beginning Jan. 1. The group is asking for a two-year extension to purchase cleaner-burning trucks.
The association also opposes the part of the Port of Los Angeles' version of the Clean Truck Program that bars independent, owner-operator drivers from entering port terminals in favor of drivers who are employed by freight companies.
Because the Port of Los Angeles only awards the money to the trucking companies, the group said its members miss out on grants to purchase cleaner-burning rigs meeting 2007 federal emissions standards.
"The Clean Truck Program is unconstitutional," said Ronald Martinez, vice president of the NPDA.
"The port is giving grants to the companies, but the independent drivers are not getting anything and we are being forced into a situation we don't want to be in," he said. "We would like to see less pollution, but we would also like to be independent and be able to afford these new trucks."
The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach launched the $1.6 billion Clean Truck Program on Oct. 1, 2008, with a goal of reducing
Advertisement
diesel truck emissions by 80 percent. By 2012, all trucks entering the ports will be required to meet 2007 federal emissions standards.
The Port of Long Beach allows independent drivers into the port, while the Port of Los Angeles adopted a mandate that requires all drivers to be employees of trucking companies by 2013.
Outside of the ports, there are millions of dollars worth of federal and state grants available to independent drivers that provide up to $80,000 for each new truck, said Arley Baker, a spokesman for the Port of Los Angeles.
"When we developed this program, one of the problems we identified early on was that many of these independent drivers did not have the financial wherewithal to own and operate a clean truck, despite the amount of public funding available to them," Baker said.
"They're feeling the squeeze, unfortunately," Baker said. "That's the reason why our program includes licensed motor carriers, who have more capital and the ability to turn over their trucking fleets."
During Friday's protest, truckers honked their horns and flashed their lights as they slowly drove on the northbound Long Beach (710) Freeway to Interstate 5 during the early morning commute.
But when the caravan reached downtown Los Angeles, the commotion fell on deaf ears as the the truckers circled City Hall. The City Council was on recess this week because most of its members were attending the National League of Cities' annual conference in San Antonio.
Afternoon traffic was also snarled as the truckers headed back south on the 710 Freeway toward the twin port complex.